Emiliano Martínez fractured his jaw in yesterday’s win over Everton, with the goalkeeper rushed to hospital after receiving almost ten minutes of treatment on the pitch following a… ‘collision’, if we’re being generous… with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half. Branthwaite himself would be cleared to play, but Martínez lay motionless on the turf for a very long time while doctors worked to stabilize him, before leaving on a stretcher amid boos from some local idiots. Nice reflection on your city there, guys.
After the match, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that Martínez was fine, conscious and undergoing tests at a local hospital. Later reports, however, revealed that these tests revealed a broken jaw, which would require surgery. Apparently the break wasn’t too bad, but reports from Argentina expect it to last “at least 40 days” (and 40 nights) – or about 6-7 weeks. This is fairly quick for such incidents, although full recovery may still take several months depending on the severity. I imagine Martínez will return as quickly as humanly and medically possible, likely sporting a face mask to protect the newly healed bone.
Martínez himself confirmed on social media that the operation went well, adding that he would be back in “a few weeks.” Get well soon, Emi!
“Thank you everyone for the messages, the operation went well. The most important thing is that we won and with a clean sheet. I will be back in a few weeks.”
-Emi Martinez; source: Instagram
With Martínez expected to miss a good chunk of time anyway, it will be up to young Mike Penders to step in and be the man between the posts. The 21-year-old has started both of our League Cup matches so far this season and made his Premier League debut when he replaced Martínez for the final 30 minutes yesterday.
Gn sports
