Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has opened up about his current diet of pureed food after having surgery to repair a broken jaw. The 34-year-old suffered the injury in a clash with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the 2-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17.
Martinez received around ten minutes of treatment before he was stretchered off and taken to hospital. Mike Penders stepped in to make his Premier League debut and helped the Blues record their first league shutout since January. In an interview with Gastón Edul on his YouTube show Los Edul, Martinez spoke about the surgery:
“They put in a plate with four screws and anchored it to three teeth. One screw went in from the outside and the rest from the inside. Right now, I can’t eat anything solid—everything has to be puréed; I’m like a baby. That said, I haven’t lost any weight. I’ve managed that with the help of a nutritionist who keeps me in good shape. Though I do sometimes lack strength during training sessions. I had hoped to finish my career without ever needing surgery—it had never happened to me before. In the end, I’ve had two in two months, but that’s football.”
The goalkeeper also confirmed he did not remember the incident:
“I would rather get an injury to my jaw than my head. It was one of the most beautiful knockouts I have ever had. If I was fighting in the UFC, it would have been knockout of the night. I saw little birds for days. All I remember is the foul from Caicedo. After that I don’t remember coming off the pitch or the impact. I don’t remember leaving the stadium.”
Martinez had played six times since he joined from Aston Villa in August. He may return before the international break, as Xabi Alonso has admitted there is a possibility. Martinez said he has also spoken to Lionel Scaloni and goalkeeping coach Martín Tocalli, and plans to join up and play in one of the friendlies against Uruguay on November 13 and Costa Rica on November 17. However, Scaloni has yet to announce his squad.
Petr Cech: “It’s Harder To Be Scared Of Something You Don’t Remember”
Martinez’s lack of memory mirrors that of Petr Cech, who suffered a depressed skull fracture while playing for Chelsea against Reading in October 2006. The Czech goalkeeper suffered an injury to his head when Stephen Hunt’s knee caught him in the first minute of the game at the Madejski Stadium.
Cech returned to play in just three months, with a rugby-style headguard becoming his signature. Alonso has said Martinez will probably need to wear a face mask if he is ready to play.
Reflecting on the incident for Chelsea’s official website, Cech said:
“The advantage I have is I don’t remember the incident on the pitch. It’s harder to be afraid of something you don’t remember. I never once went on the pitch thinking ‘what if I get injured’.”
Cech went on to play at the top level for over a decade, and Chelsea will be hoping Martinez makes a similar quick recovery.