Pep Chavarria Undergoing Tests To Learn Extent Of Chelsea Injury

Pep Chavarria will undergo further tests as Chelsea determine the extent of his issue.

The Chelsea defender missed their 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, which saw Xabi Alonso’s side claim back-to-back league wins and keep their first league clean sheet in nine months.

It was almost an unchanged side on Merseyside, with Chavarria’s absence the only enforced change. Jorrel Hato replaced the Spaniard and delivered an impressive performance, setting up Pedro Neto’s opener just after the half-time interval. 

Chavarria’s omission from the squad was unplanned. He travelled with the team to Everton, but he dropped out late. 

Alonso shared the reason for Chavarria’s absence pre-match, revealing: "He picked up a little problem yesterday (Friday). We are not certain yet of the situation because it was late yesterday. Jorrel is fit, he's played there so just that change."

The Chelsea manager was quizzed further on Chavarria’s situation and confirmed the 28-year-old would undergo further tests on Sunday to determine the full extent of the issue sustained on Friday. 

Alonso added: "(His) last action in training, he felt something, so tomorrow (Sunday) he's having the test to have the full information about the injuries, but he was not feeling well enough to compete for today (Saturday)."

Chelsea will be hopeful he is available to face Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

Chavarria wasn’t the only absence against Everton. Malo Gusto was missing due to illness.

But the big injury news from Everton was regarding Emiliano Martinez. He picked up a head injury in the second half and was forced off. Martinez was taken to hospital for checks, and the Argentine eventually underwent surgery after a fractured jaw. 

He will now miss several weeks of the season, with highly rated youngster Mike Penders now expected to get a run of league games in the side. 

Chelsea will hope their injury problems aren’t returning after managing to clear several out of the medical room during the international break.

Reece James, Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha are among those also currently sidelined due to injury. 

The growing injury list didn’t deter Chelsea from putting in one of their best wins of the season. They showed commitment and quality to end Everton’s unbeaten league start.

It went down well with Alonso, who was full of praise for the players, many of whom showed their delight with the Spaniard during goal celebrations and at full-time, in particular when Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers pushed the Chelsea boss in front of the travelling support to ensure he received the plaudits. 

For Chelsea, wins like at Everton only count if they continue to back them up. They did it after Bournemouth, and now the next test to focus on is Spurs - a huge London derby which Alonso is relishing.