Martinez targets quick return after jaw surgery in Chelsea win at Everton
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says he will be back "in a few weeks" after surgery on the jaw injury suffered in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win at Everton. The 34-year-old Argentina international posted the update on social media on Sunday, 18 October, adding: "In a few weeks we'll be back." BBC Sport
Chelsea took the three points at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on 17 October. Martinez said the result mattered more than his own setback. He wrote that the most important thing was that Chelsea won and kept a clean sheet, football's term for a game without conceding a goal. Yahoo Sports
The injury came after a clash of heads with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half. Martinez reportedly broke his jaw in the collision. It was a worrying wait. Play stopped for eight minutes while he received treatment on the pitch.
He then left the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said afterwards that Martinez was concussed, the medical term for a brain injury caused by a blow to the head. The operation followed, which Martinez later described as going well.
Mike Penders came on to replace him. It was the 21-year-old's Premier League debut. Penders joined Chelsea from Belgian club Genk for £17m in 2024 and held firm to help see out the 2-0 win. A debut at that age, away from home and with no warning, is one of football's toughest introductions.
Alonso said he has full trust in the young keeper. That trust will be needed quickly. Penders looks set to play in at least Chelsea's next three matches: Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League, with a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool in between. The Carabao Cup is England's secondary knockout cup competition, played alongside the league season.
For supporters, this is a sudden test of squad depth. A goalkeeper shapes the mood of a whole team. A calm claim or a sharp save settles everyone. A mistake echoes. What makes this stand out is the tone from both men — one injured star keen to reassure, and one young deputy handed a very public chance in three loud, high-pressure games.
