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Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after suffering a suspected concussion during his side's 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday.
The Argentine goalkeeper collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the 68th minute while attempting to collect a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick. The incident caused an eight-minute stoppage before Martinez was replaced by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut for Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that Martinez had left the stadium conscious and was undergoing medical examinations.
Alonso said the club would wait for further medical updates, expressing hope that the injury would not prove serious. However, doubts remain over the goalkeeper's availability for Chelsea's upcoming fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, as well as their Carabao Cup encounter with Liverpool.
A confirmed concussion could require Martinez to follow the Premier League's return-to-play protocols, which typically involve a minimum 14-day recovery process.
Despite the injury setback, Chelsea secured a significant victory, with Pedro Neto scoring both goals to deliver the club's first Premier League clean sheet in nine months.
The result marked an improvement in Chelsea's defensive performance after they had conceded a league-high 13 goals before kick-off. Everton managed just six shots, while Chelsea restricted their opponents to an expected goals against figure of 0.45, their lowest against a top-flight side this season.
Alonso praised his players for remaining disciplined under pressure, particularly during difficult periods involving set pieces and Everton's physical approach. He said the performance demonstrated the team's ability to remain organised and secure results away from home.
With Martinez potentially unavailable, attention has shifted to Penders, Chelsea's 21-year-old backup goalkeeper.
Chelsea signed Penders from Belgian side Genk for £17 million in 2024 before loaning him back to the club. He subsequently spent last season with Strasbourg, gaining experience in Ligue 1 and the Conference League.
Standing at 6ft 7in, Penders has drawn comparisons with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whom he has understudied within Belgium's national team setup.
Penders also trained under respected goalkeeping coaches Guy Martens and Gilbert Roex, who helped develop several prominent Belgian goalkeepers.
Roex believes the youngster has the potential to reach Courtois' level, praising his composure and ability to play with the ball at his feet.
Chelsea will now monitor Martinez's condition while assessing their goalkeeping options ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
