According to a report by Chelsea Football Club's official website on Friday, October 16, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Emmanuel Emegha and Jamie Gittens will miss Saturday's Premier League clash against Everton, while captain Reece James is also unavailable following knee surgery.

The Blues will travel to Merseyside hoping to build on their impressive 5-1 victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in their last league match. The game against Everton will also mark Chelsea's first away trip of the season, with Alonso looking to maintain the team's winning form despite the injury setbacks.

Speaking ahead of the match, Alonso confirmed that there were no fresh injury concerns within his squad, although Emegha will not be ready to feature after experiencing a minor problem during training on Thursday.

The Chelsea boss explained that the forward is expected to return to training next week, but he is not yet fully fit to take part in competitive action. His absence means Alonso will have to wait a little longer before considering him for selection.

Gittens will also miss the trip to Everton after picking up an injury while representing England Under-21s during the international break. The winger is expected to spend a few more weeks on the sidelines, meaning Chelsea will have to manage without him for upcoming matches.

Meanwhile, James has undergone surgery after suffering a knee injury during training last Friday, leaving Chelsea without their captain for the foreseeable future. Although the club has not provided a specific date for his return, his absence will be a concern as the team prepares for a busy period.

However, Alonso believes James will continue to play an important role around the squad during his recovery, with his leadership and experience still valuable to the players in the dressing room.

Chelsea will now turn their attention to Everton, knowing that another positive result could help them maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the Premier League table. The Blues and Everton both had 10 points ahead of Saturday's meeting, making the contest an important opportunity for either side to move ahead.