Emiliano Martinez Injury Update as Chelsea Confirm Fractured Jaw After Everton Collision
Chelsea have confirmed that Emiliano Martinez suffered a fractured jaw and concussion after the collision with Jarrad Branthwaite during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton.
The incident came in the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and looked bad immediately. Martinez and Branthwaite clashed heads, both required treatment, and the Chelsea goalkeeper was the one who paid the heavier price. Medical staff spent around ten minutes attending to him on the pitch before he was stretchered off and taken to a local hospital.
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Martinez surgery confirmed
Xabi Alonso offered the first update after full-time, saying: “As far as I know, he left the stadium conscious. Now he is in the hospital doing precautionary tests. Let’s see, but this is what I know so far.”
That has now been followed by confirmation from the club that surgery was required. The official statement said: “Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone successful surgery on a fractured jaw.
“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.”
Martinez has also indicated that he is aiming to return “in a few weeks”, which is about as positive as Chelsea could have hoped for after such an ugly collision.
Chelsea injury concerns growing
The key detail is that there has been no serious brain damage. That matters more than anything else. The fractured jaw is serious, the concussion protocol will need to be respected, and Chelsea now have another fitness problem to manage.
Before the injury, Martinez had been one of Chelsea’s best players against Everton. He made two important saves and helped secure the club’s first Premier League clean sheet since January. Pedro Neto, who scored both goals, later dedicated the win to him.
Chelsea are already dealing with other absences. Reece James is facing a lengthy spell out after knee surgery, while Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha are also unavailable. Martinez’s setback adds to that list, even if the early signs suggest the outcome could have been far worse.