Martinez, Pedro and Hato: Chelsea injury news and return dates with seven stars out ahead of Sunderland
The latest Chelsea injury list and potential return dates as the Blues prepare to face Sunderland in the Premier League
Chelsea’s 2026/27 Premier League campaign received a boost last weekend, when Xabi Alonso’s side earned a 2-0 home win against Manchester United. The result saw the Blues move above Liverpool into fourth place in the table, and puts them in good stead for Champions League football next season, if they can keep up with the relentless competition.
Next up, Chelsea travel to the North East to take on Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, in what should be an ideal opportunity for Alonso’s men to bag another three points against a side lying rock bottom of the Premier League table. The last time the two sides met, back in May, the Black Cats beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to seal Europa League qualification.
That abject performance from the Blues will still be fresh in their memory, and they’ll be eager to put in a much-improved performance under their new manager when they head north this weekend. Ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash, here is the latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates.
Will Emi Martinez play against Sunderland?
Chelsea number one Emi Martinez has been out of action since last month, after he suffered a fractured jaw during a brutal coming together with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite during a set-piece. The Argentina international is now back training in the gym with his teammates, but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to feature against Sunderland.
Alonso has already revealed that for Martinez to play against the Black Cats, he will need to be fitted with a custom mask to protect his injured jaw. The Blues boss will likely reveal further details on whether this will happen later this week. Martinez joined the Blues last summer, coming in to replace Robert Sanchez following heavy criticism of the Spanish stopper’s form.
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson should be available for selection against his former club, after missing Man United’s visit last weekend due to illness. Things are a little less clear when it comes to Jorrel Hato, who missed the Blues’ last game with a back injury. He could well be rested until after the international break, when Leeds United visit Stamford Bridge on 21st November.
When will Joao Pedro be back from injury?
Star striker Joao Pedro suffered a thigh injury in the build-up to Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham last month, and won’t feature again for the Blues until after the international break. An optimistic potential return date could be Leeds United’s aforementioned visit, but a trip to Nottingham Forest on 27th November may be a more realistic target.
Elsewhere, star centre-back Maxence Lacroix is unlikely to play for Chelsea again this year, after suffering a hamstring tear in the club’s Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool last month. As things stand, he may have to wait until early January to take to the field again. Jamie Gittens, meanwhile, will be targeting a late November return from an ankle problem.
Club captain Reece James suffered a knee injury that required surgery in mid-October, and he might have to wait until the Blues play Sunderland at home on 16th January to make his comeback. The 29-cap England international started the season playing in central midfield, after the club failed to sign an Enzo Fernandez replacement on Deadline Day last summer.