Emi Martinez was stretchered off the field against Everton after suffering a worrying head injury and the Chelsea star was taken to hospital following the issue
Emi Martinez
Emi Martinez went to hospital for precautionary tests(Image: Tony McArdle/Eveton FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez is set to undergo surgery on a jaw injury after his brutal collision against Everton, according to reports in Argentina. Blues boss Xabi Alonso confirmed following Chelsea's win over Everton that the shotstopper was undergoing precautionary assessments.
Martinez suffered the injury in a sickening clash of heads with Jarrad Branthwaite when the Everton defender flew into the goalkeeper trying to meet a cross. Both were left on the turf as the game was delayed by more than 10 minutes as Martinez underwent treatment.
Chelsea players immediately called for assistance, with Levi Colwill seen with his hands on his head following the collision. Martinez was eventually stretchered from the field and could be seen moving as he was carried from the field, with his hands at the side of his head.
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According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Martinez came through most testing all clear, with his head, back and neck assessed. An injury to his jaw has seen an extended stay in hospital, however.
Chelsea head coach Alonso confirmed that Martinez was conscious when he left the stadium earlier in the day. "It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know,"he said.
"I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait. What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests.
Emiliano Martinez could miss a few Chelsea matches with a head injury
Emiliano Martinez could miss a few Chelsea matches with a head injury(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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"We need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait."
Martinez is set to miss at least two weeks of action as he follows concussion protocols. The former Aston Villa star will miss the match against Tottenham Hotspur and Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, while being a doubt to face Manchester United on October 31.
The Football Association (FA) have implemented strict head injury procedures. If a player is judged to be concussed, the player should be supervised for 24 hours and begin a six-stage 'return to play' process.
As part of this, there is a 48-hour period of rest with minimal physical and 'cognitive' activities, such as working and using screens. "A staged and graduated return to full daily activities" is recommended where "football training is allowed, but at a rate that does not worsen existing symptoms more than mildly or produce new symptoms".
Chelsea match-winner Pedro Neto dedicated the Blues' win to Martinez. He said: "In his [Emiliano Martinez's] honour. We needed that.
"We did a very good game. Emi deserved this. Mike [Penders] deserved this as well. We are really happy."