Xabi Alonso has explained his logic for sticking with Mike Penders in goal for today’s game against Sunderland.

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Chelsea are taking on Sunderland today at the Stadium of Light, and one of the big questions before the game was over who would play in goal.

In the end it’s Mike Penders who has got the nod, despite Emi Martinez having returned from jaw surgery to train with a face mask this week.

Alonso on “risky” decision to use Martinez

We predicted that this would be the case, and Alonso’s explanation for why he made that call match up with what we thought:

“[Martinez] made a great effort to be available but probably it was too rash, too risky [to be selected],” the manager explained.

“So he’ll use one more week, ten days, to keep on training and get used to the mask. I’m sure after the break he’ll be available.”

It would have been a silly risk to use the Argentine today so soon after a nasty injury, surgery and a concussion. With the international break coming, it made much more sense to keep Penders in for one more game. Even if the medical staff have cleared Martinez, he can’t be expected to be able to perform at his normal level just yet.

In other news…

Josh Acheampong misses out today, and there’s an initial update from the ground on the injury he’s got.

The rest of the starting team is out and you can see it all here.

Aaron Anselmino is finally back in the Chelsea squad, and Xabi Alonso spoke about his return yesterday.