Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he will be “back in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a clash of heads in his side’s 2-0 Premier League win at Everton. The 34-year-old Argentine posted an update on social media on Sunday.
The collision happened on Saturday, when Martinez and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite came together as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall swung a free kick into the box. Branthwaite was soon back on his feet after treatment, but Martinez needed help from paramedics. He was strapped to a stretcher, carried off the pitch and taken to hospital with a concussion. Media in Argentina reported that he had also suffered a jaw injury.
Martinez’s message after surgery
Wearing a hospital gown, Martinez wrote: “Thanks to everyone for the messages. The operation went well.” He added that the most important thing was the win and the clean sheet, and that “in a few weeks we’ll be back.”
Mike Penders handed Premier League debut
The injury forced manager Xabi Alonso to give 21-year-old Mike Penders his Premier League debut. Penders, a Belgian youth international, helped Chelsea keep their first league clean sheet since January. He is likely to step in until Martinez is cleared to return to training.
Chelsea’s fixtures in the coming weeks
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the league next Saturday. They then travel to Liverpool for a League Cup fourth-round game on October 28, followed three days later by a home Premier League match against Manchester United.
