Emiliano Martinez has said surgery on his fractured jaw was successful after a collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday. The Argentina goalkeeper was taken off on a stretcher following a second-half clash with Jarrad Branthwaite at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Mike Penders replaced him.
Posting from hospital early on Sunday, October 18, Martinez thanked supporters and expressed hope that he would return within weeks. “Thanks to everyone for the messages. The surgery went well,” he wrote. “The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. We’ll be back in a few weeks.” Chelsea confirmed that hospital assessments identified a fractured jaw requiring surgery.
“Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone successful surgery on a fractured jaw,” the club said. “Martinez was injured following a collision midway through the second half of our 2-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
“Martinez was taken to hospital for further assessment, which confirmed a fractured jaw that required surgery. Everyone at Chelsea wishes Emi a speedy recovery and will support him throughout.” The club did not provide a return date.
Martinez’s wife, Amanda, known as Mandinha, also thanked fans for their support in an Instagram message on Saturday night. “Thank you all for the lovely messages and for checking in on Emi,” she wrote. “He’s doing fine, it’s nothing serious, and he’ll soon be back to his usual self. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for so much love and support.”
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said after the match that Martinez had left the stadium conscious and was undergoing hospital tests. Midfielder Jordan Henderson also expressed concern and highlighted the goalkeeper’s importance to the squad.
“All the lads and everyone will be thinking of him and texting him so fingers crossed it’s nothing major and he can be back with us pretty soon because he’s a really important figure not only on the pitch but around the dressing room too,” Henderson said. The victory moved Chelsea into fourth place on 13 points and marked their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months.