Having fought so hard to keep him at the club during the transfer window, Everton could be without defender John Stones, after he picked up a knock during the Capital One Cup win in midweek.
And while his manager moved to allay those fears by explaining it was merely a strain, Martinez did admit his centre-half will be touch and go for Monday.
Swansea City manager Garry Monk has told the club’s official site that he is confident that he’ll see a reaction from his side on Saturday against Everton following last weekend’s first defeat at Watford.
Steven Naismith scored a hat-trick as Chelsea’s struggles continued with a third loss in their opening five league games following a defeat at Everton.
Even before kick-off Mourinho had walked out of an interview with BT Sport when asked about John Stones, the Everton defender he failed to sign. Normally, losing a starter less than ten minutes into the game is a bad thing.
The Blues have already had a £26 million bid knocked back for the 21-year-old England global, with Everton manager Roberto Martinez reacting angrily to Chelsea’s public pursuit of one of his club’s key assets.
Stones is now the focus of attention of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is willing to fork out as much as £30m for him, and if Holgate can reach that level himself in the future, Roberto Martinez will have pulled off a fine bit of business with regards to the long-term plans...
Chelsea have had several bids for Stones rejected and Toffees manager Roberto Martinez has been adamant the last few days about keeping the talented English defender.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez feels the fixture list has been unkind to his side but has stressed the Toffees must get momentum going early in their Barclays Premier League campaign. He knows football, he is a very experienced manager and I believe we are going to do great things...
Chelsea have secured the long-term future of centre-back Tomas Kalas to Stamford Bridge, casting doubt on speculations linking them with a move for Everton starlet John Stones.