Xabi Alonso is embarking on his toughest fortnight as Chelsea manager, and he will have to do it without his first-choice goalkeeper, Emi Martinez. Jason Cundy is concerned.

Emi Martinez has undergone successful jaw surgery after his nasty collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but the Argentine is now set to be sidelined until December. He will miss at least six games.

Starting with Saturday’s clash against Tottenham. Chelsea then take on Xabi Alonso’s old side Liverpool in the Carabao Cup next week, before facing Man United. A tough run of games, and Cundy is concerned.

Mike Penders has already managed to worry Jason Cundy

Mike Penders will now come in to replace World Cup winner Martinez, after becoming Chelsea’s youngest Premier League goalkeeper at Everton. He beat Lenny Pidgeley’s record by two weeks on Saturday.

Stuart Pearce was impressed by Penders, notably his punch right at the edge of the penalty area. But for the same reason, Chelsea-supporting pundit Cundy has shared his concerns regarding stopper Penders.

Chelsea have been dominant against Tottenham for many years, but what does Xabi Alonso need to do to ensure this run keeps going?

The Blues haven't lost to Tottenham since 2023 👀

Speaking to the Spurs Chat podcast, Cundy said: “He’s still very much learning his trade. He is going to get back-to-back starts now; it will do him the world of good, but there will be some mistakes.

“There’ll be some creases that will have to be ironed out. I thought he was a little too eager off his line when he came off the bench against Everton. He punched one pretty much on the edge of the box.

“He had to come through a lot of players. Now that he will realise, ‘I’ve got plenty of games now, I’m going to play for at least the next dozen’. But that’s a really interesting one to see how he adapts.”

However, Jason Cundy is dazzled by Chelsea’s new ‘Rolls Royce’

While Cundy could end up being right about Penders, one player has impressed the former Chelsea defender. Cundy played 57 times for Chelsea during his career. Josh Acheampong has amassed 52.

On Saturday, Acheampong will clock up his 53rd appearance for the Blues, with Chelsea fans of the opinion that the England U21 international is now becoming Chelsea’s most underrated player.

Acheampong was excellent in his hybrid role on the right of Chelsea’s defence against Everton, and Cundy told the same podcast just how excited he is by the Cobham academy graduate’s displays.

“He’s gone to a back four. He’s sorted out his central pair, with Lacroix and Colwill. Josh Acheampong at right back, who played there against Everton, is a Rolls-Royce of a player; he’s adapted really well.”

Tottenham will be a tough game for Chelsea, after they beat Frank Lampard’s Coventry on Monday night and James Maddison back from injury. But at Stamford Bridge, Alonso will be eyeing a third win in a row.