Sportsmole reports the goalkeeper will miss at least two weeks of competitive action under FA head injury rules.
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has had surgery on a jaw injury after a heavy collision during Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday. The incident came in the 67th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium, when Martínez rushed off his line to punch an Everton free kick clear and collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Both players were treated on the pitch, but Martínez received the longer treatment, with oxygen, before he was stretchered off the field.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso told reporters that Martínez was conscious when he left the stadium and had been taken to hospital for "precautionary tests". Alonso's assessment of the injury went further:
"It was a concussion, but more than that."
He had seen only one clip of the collision, and said "we'll have to wait."
Martínez posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed late on Saturday night. The caption read: "Thank you all for the messages, the operation went well." The same caption ended with "We'll be back in a few weeks."
According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, as relayed by football.london, Martínez had come through extensive hospital scans on his head, back and neck without any major complications. Doctors did, however, diagnose a significant jawbone issue that extended his stay in hospital and needed a surgical procedure. That operation has since taken place, according to Martínez's own post.
Substitute goalkeeper Mike Penders, 21, came on for him in the 75th minute and helped keep a clean sheet. Pedro Neto scored twice, and Sportsmole reports he dedicated the brace to his stricken teammate.
Sportsmole reports that Martínez is guaranteed to miss at least two weeks of competitive action under Football Association head injury regulations. Under those rules, a concussed player must be supervised for 24 hours and rest for 48 hours with minimal physical or cognitive activity, before starting a graduated six-stage return-to-play process.
Sportsmole says he will definitely miss Chelsea's upcoming Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur and the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. It also lists him as a major doubt for the Manchester United match on October 31, and says Penders is likely to deputise in his place if he is absent.
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