Alonso explains Acheampong and Martinez absences as Chelsea nurse injuries after Sunderland defeat
Xabi Alonso has had to explain why Josh Acheampong and Emi Martinez were missing from Chelsea's squad for the trip to Sunderland, with the manager giving an update on both players.
The Evening Standard reports that Alonso addressed the Acheampong and Martinez absences directly, noting that the head coach has shown faith in Acheampong throughout his time in charge at Stamford Bridge, making the call to leave him and Martinez out all the more notable (Evening Standard). Chelsea's official club website, ChelseaFC.com, carries the same explanation from Alonso, confirming it as the club's own account of why the pair weren't involved at the Stadium of Light (ChelseaFC.com).
The context, according to the Evening Standard, is a difficult afternoon for Chelsea, who travelled to Sunderland on the back of a win over Manchester United but came away with what the Standard describes as a "crushing defeat" during the final international break of the year (Evening Standard). That same report also doubles up as a wider injury update, touching on Acheampong, Martinez and Joao Pedro, with return dates discussed for the squad as Chelsea look to regroup (Evening Standard).
Joao Pedro's name also crops up in a separate but related line from Football.London, which reports that Chelsea have sent a warning email to staff after a leak involving Joao Pedro and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers (Football.London). It's not explicitly tied to team news from the Sunderland game, but it adds to a week where Joao Pedro has been a central figure in the Chelsea conversation both on and off the pitch.
Put together, the picture is of a Chelsea side managing absentees carefully under Alonso, with Acheampong and Martinez left out for reasons the manager has now clarified, Joao Pedro's fitness being monitored, and the club dealing with an internal leak situation away from the pitch. Fans will want quick clarity on timelines for Acheampong, Martinez and Joao Pedro as the busy winter schedule continues.
Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
