Emiliano Martinez Recovering After Head Injury Surgery, Expects Return in Weeks
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said he expects to return to action within weeks after undergoing successful surgery following a head injury sustained in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.
The 34-year-old Argentina World Cup winner was injured in the 67th minute while attempting to clear an Everton free kick. He collided with defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and both players received treatment on the field.
Branthwaite recovered quickly, but Martinez required extended medical attention before being carried off on a stretcher while receiving oxygen. Chelsea’s 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders replaced him.
Martinez later posted a photo from his hospital bed on social media, thanking supporters for their messages and confirming that the surgery had gone well.
“Thank you for all the messages. The surgery went well. The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. I’ll be back in a few weeks,” Martinez wrote.
Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso said earlier that Martinez was conscious when he left the field and had been taken to hospital for precautionary tests. Alonso said the goalkeeper had suffered a concussion but declined to speculate on whether the injury was more serious.
Chelsea secured the win through a brace from Pedro Neto, ending Everton’s unbeaten start to the season and recording their first clean sheet of the campaign.
The result lifted Chelsea to fifth in the Premier League standings with 13 points from seven matches. Manchester City led the table with 21 points, while Arsenal was second on 15 points with a game in hand.
