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Chelsea have seen goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez return to training ahead of expectations after the Argentine international sourced protective equipment to help him cope with his fractured jaw.
A heavy collision with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite left Martínez requiring emergency surgery in mid-October. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso had indicated the shot-stopper would face several weeks out, but his recuperation has moved at a remarkable pace.
Martínez has tracked down specialist gear to speed up his comeback and was seen at training on Thursday sporting a jaw strap alongside a hat.
This indicates that Martínez could be set to return from the serious injury after only three weeks, though whether he has been medically cleared for competitive action remains uncertain.
Chelsea are no strangers to goalkeepers playing with protective equipment. The iconic Petr Čech donned a padded headguard following a fractured skull sustained during a game in October 2006, wearing the helmet for the final 13 years of his playing days. Martínez will be hoping his new addition to his kit proves far less long-lasting.
Should Martínez Return to Chelsea's Starting Lineup Immediately?
If Martínez is fit to feature, Alonso must now weigh up whether to hand him back his starting berth or continue giving young deputy Mike Penders opportunities in the first team.
The tall Belgian made a costly blunder in the 2–0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur but responded well with a clean sheet against Manchester United, producing a stunning stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo that earned him a nomination for the Premier League Save of the Month for October.
Alonso must now determine whether Penders has proven himself enough to hold onto a prolonged run in the side or whether to revert to Martínez, who was brought in during the summer to inject much-needed experience into the squad.
Penders's error against Spurs made it clear that the 21-year-old still requires senior-level experience, though he cannot accumulate that experience while warming the bench.
It was somewhat unexpected to see Penders retained as Chelsea's backup goalkeeper this term. He enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Strasbourg last season but was replaced at the French club by fellow Blues loanee Filip Jörgensen this year.
That said, Martínez was signed for a purpose. Chelsea's backline is under considerable strain at present—a clean sheet against a struggling United outfit can only do so much for one's standing—and a more seasoned presence may well be required in goal when they face Sunderland.