Emiliano Martínez has tried to calm Chelsea after the head injury that forced him off against Everton in Everton vs Chelsea. He was stretchered off in Chelsea's 0-2 Premier League win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and later said the operation went well and he expects to be back in a few weeks.
The update after the Everton injury
The first reports from Xabi Alonso were cautious, with the Chelsea coach saying Martínez left the stadium conscious and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Sports Mole's account of the injury scare and So Foot's translation of Alonso's comments point in the same direction on that point, while the diagnosis itself has not been settled in public terms.
Martínez's own message was more reassuring. "Thanks to everyone for the messages, the operation went well... We'll be back in a few weeks," he said. That is enough to ease the immediate alarm, even if it does not change Chelsea's short-term problem.
Chelsea's short-term goalkeeper problem
Before the injury, Martínez had already made 6 Premier League appearances and logged 529 league minutes for Chelsea this season. He had become the first choice in the league, which is why the timing hurts them more than a routine knock would.
Mike Penders is the likely cover, but the gap is obvious. He has only 1 Premier League appearance and 15 minutes this season, so Chelsea are about to lean on a goalkeeper who has hardly had any senior exposure at this level. Chelsea's next three fixtures are at home to Tottenham on October 24, away to Liverpool in the EFL Cup on October 28, and at home to Manchester United on October 31.
The lesson for Chelsea is simple enough. Martínez should be back in a few weeks, but the club still have to get through Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United without their No. 1.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
