Goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he will be “back in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a clash of heads during Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Everton in the Premier League. Martinez and Jarrad Branthwaite came together on Saturday when Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall whipped a free kick into the box, and although the Everton defender was back on his feet after treatment, the Chelsea goalkeeper required treatment from paramedics. The 34-year-old Argentinian was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the field before being taken to hospital with a concussion as media in Argentina reported he had suffered a jaw injury in the collision.
Martinez, wearing a hospital gown, posted on social media on Sunday: “Thanks to everyone for the messages. In a few weeks we’ll be back.” Martinez’s injury forced Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to give Mike Penders his Premier League debut, and the 21-year-old keeper helped Chelsea keep their first clean sheet in the league since January. Penders, a Belgian youth international, will likely have to step in until Martinez is cleared to return to training.
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the league next Saturday, followed by a League Cup fourth-round game at Liverpool on October 28 and a home Premier League match against Manchester United three days later.
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