Chelsea have confirmed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has successfully undergone surgery to treat a fractured jaw. The Argentine suffered the injury in a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Martinez was forced off the pitch to receive specialist treatment after the match, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a broken jaw which required surgery. Xabi Alonso had initially stated after the match that the 34-year-old was conscious as he left the stadium and was being subjected to precautionary tests.
The collision occurred in the 67th minute, as Martinez rushed out to clear the ball from a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall free kick. Play was halted for over ten minutes before Martinez was stretchered off and replaced by Mike Penders. The club has not provided an official recovery time for their goalkeeper, but reports claim Martinez is expected to miss six to seven weeks of action.
This means the shot-stopper has less than two weeks to recover before the Blues’ first match of the season against Tottenham. They then face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, plus fixtures against Manchester United and Sunderland before the November international break.
Mike Penders Set For Extended Run In Chelsea Goal
With Martinez injured, Penders is set for an extended run in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has seen his time in West London rewarded after playing a part in Chelsea’s first clean sheet of the season, becoming the youngest-ever goalkeeper to play for the club in the Premier League.
The Belgian has started both of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fixtures this season, featuring in the 2-0 win over Luton Town. He spent last season on loan with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg before returning to West London.
Alonso had already hinted that the young goalkeeper would get more opportunities as the season progressed. Penders is now in line to deputise for Martinez when Tottenham visit Stamford Bridge next Saturday.