Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Emmanuel Emegha and Jamie Gittens will miss Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Everton, while captain Reece James remains unavailable following knee surgery. The club announced the updates on Friday, October 16, 2026, ahead of their trip to Merseyside.

The Blues will enter the fixture looking to maintain their momentum after an emphatic 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in their previous league outing. The Everton match will also mark their first away trip of the season, presenting Alonso with an opportunity to build on that result despite several important absences.

Speaking before the game, Alonso said there were no additional injury concerns within the squad. However, Emegha will not be ready to feature after experiencing a minor issue during training on Thursday.

The Chelsea manager expects the forward to return to training next week but stressed that he is not yet fit enough to participate in a competitive match. Emegha’s absence means the coaching staff will have to delay their decision on when he can be introduced into the team.

Gittens is also set to miss the Everton encounter after sustaining an injury while on international duty with England’s Under-21 side. The winger is expected to remain sidelined for several more weeks, leaving Chelsea without another attacking option as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.

James’s situation presents a separate concern. The Chelsea captain underwent surgery after injuring his knee during training last Friday. Although the club has not confirmed a specific return date, his absence is expected to continue while he works through his recovery programme.

Despite losing their captain on the pitch, Alonso believes James can still make a meaningful contribution to the squad. His leadership, experience and influence in the dressing room remain important as Chelsea navigate the coming weeks.

The manager will now focus on preparing the available players for the Everton test. Chelsea will hope their recent attacking performance can translate into another positive result, even without several members of the squad.

The fixture also carries significance for the league standings. Both Chelsea and Everton had collected 10 points ahead of Saturday’s meeting, making the contest an opportunity for either team to move ahead of the other.

With Emegha, Gittens and James unavailable, Alonso may need to adjust his selection and tactical approach. Chelsea will nevertheless aim to secure another victory and strengthen their position in the Premier League as the campaign continues.