Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, first-choice keeper for Chelsea, announced he will be ready to return to the pitch within a few weeks, after undergoing surgery to treat a jaw fracture sustained during his team's 2-0 victory over Everton in the English Premier League.
The 34-year-old international goalkeeper was taken to the hospital after colliding with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during the second half of the match played on Saturday in the seventh round, and required eight minutes of treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher.
For his part, Chelsea's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso clarified that Martinez suffered a concussion, while Martinez, the winner of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, wrote on social media on Sunday, attaching a photo of himself from his hospital bed: "Thank you all for your messages. The operation went well."
The goalkeeper added: "The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. I will return in a few weeks," while Mike Penders is scheduled to replace him during his absence.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper made his league debut as a substitute in the Everton match, joined Chelsea from Belgian side Genk in August 2024, and spent the past two seasons on loan at other clubs, including a stint with French side Strasbourg last season.
In the same context, Chelsea sits in fourth place with 13 points, trailing leaders Manchester City by 8 points.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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