Emiliano Dibu Martínez was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland and had to postpone his return again after the fractured jaw sustained in October. The goalkeeper is training in a protective mask with the group, but Xabi Alonso chose not to accelerate the timetable. The priority is completing recovery without turning a sporting need into an unnecessary physical risk.
The Spanish coach explained that Martínez made a major effort to be available, although using him was still “too early” and “too risky.” The assessment does not question his commitment or report a setback. Instead, it indicates that adaptation to the protection and to contact requires more days. Chelsea expect to have him after the international break, when he will have accumulated another week to ten days of work.
The injury occurred against Everton and required surgery. Dibu has since missed four consecutive fixtures. Mike Penders occupied the goal during that period, recording one clean sheet, two defeats, one draw and one victory. The sequence forced the team to reorganise a central position and demonstrates that the absence has already had consequences extending beyond a single weekend.
Chelsea found no relief against Sunderland. They lost 1-0 at home to opponents who arrived bottom of the table and failed to convert late pressure into an equaliser. Valentín Barco and Aarón Anselmino were on the bench but did not play. The result might have increased the temptation to hurry Martínez back, yet Alonso maintained the medical approach despite an unfavourable competitive context.
Argentina are the next destination. Lionel Scaloni’s side face Uruguay at La Bombonera on 13 November and Costa Rica in Córdoba on the 17th. Martínez intends to join the squad in condition to participate, although selection does not guarantee readiness to play. The national staff must assess his tolerance of the mask, response in training and security when contesting high balls and physical contacts.
For Scaloni, the case requires close coordination with Chelsea. Dibu is a technical and emotional reference, but friendly matches also provide alternatives to distribute minutes if risk persists. Protecting him does not diminish the importance of the fixtures; it separates presence in camp from the decision to expose him in competition. Daily progress, rather than status, must determine whether he starts.
Martínez is closer to returning but remains inside a recovery phase. Training with the group and wearing a mask represent progress; missing Sunderland proves they are not the final step. The coming days will determine whether he can rejoin Argentina fully or whether caution continues. Alonso has established a clear criterion: a return only makes sense when preparation has reduced the risk to an acceptable level.
