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Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez expressed confidence that he would be "back in a few weeks" after undergoing emergency surgery following a serious facial collision during the match against Everton.
The opening 75 minutes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium had been a tough affair, with more cynical challenges than creative play from either team. There was no ill intent, however, when Jarrad Branthwaite attempted to meet a set-piece delivery and inadvertently made contact with Martínez's face.
While Everton's unsuspecting center back was able to recover and complete the game, the Argentine international was carried off on a stretcher and rushed directly to hospital.
Sitting up in a hospital bed wearing a medical gown, Martínez took to Instagram to ease the concerns of worried supporters. "Thanks to everyone for the messages; the surgery went well," the 34-year-old posted. "The most important thing is that we won, and with a clean sheet. We'll be back in a few weeks."
What Injury Does Emiliano Martinez Have?
The full impact of Branthwaite's head struck Martínez directly, leaving him with a fractured jaw, as confirmed by Chelsea. The goalkeeper was treated on the field for eight minutes by medical personnel before being transported to hospital, remaining conscious throughout.
Xabi Alonso disclosed after the game that his summer signing had also sustained a "concussion" while attempting to deal with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross. That secondary diagnosis is likely to extend Martínez's time on the sidelines.
When Will Emiliano Martinez Be Back for Chelsea?
Martínez's estimate of "a few weeks" for his recovery is deliberately cautious. Timelines for players returning from broken jaws can vary considerably, depending on the severity of the fracture and the demands of the season.
At this summer's World Cup, Austrian defender Stefan Posch fractured his jaw during his country's opening group stage match yet made himself available to play against Argentina just five days later, wearing a protective mask. Posch was competing for game time on football's grandest stage and, crucially, had not needed surgery.
If Martínez remains sidelined until the November international break, which starts for Chelsea on Nov. 9 — just three weeks after his operation — he would miss only four matches. However, those are significant fixtures.
Chelsea host bitter London rivals Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday before making the trip to Liverpool for a high-profile Carabao Cup fourth-round clash. There is also a home league encounter with Manchester United on Halloween and a challenging away trip to Sunderland.
Chelsea's Upcoming Fixtures
How Will Chelsea Replace Emiliano Martinez?
Even before Martínez had been brought in, Alonso had been considering elevating Mike Penders over the inconsistent Robert Sánchez. Ultimately, the opportunity to acquire a World Cup winner at a bargain price was too attractive to pass up, but Penders will now have his opportunity to step up.
"Mike has personality," Alonso said of the 21-year-old uncapped Belgium international. "He's brave and we have full trust with him. He did well when he came on. He played in the cup games and whenever he's needed. Like the other players, whenever they are needed they can perform.
"It's all about the squad—that all the players feel important and can have their moment whenever they are needed, and that's very positive." Penders is certainly needed now.