Full Breakdown
Martinez’s injury and surgery after Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Everton
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 17, 2026 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0. Mid-second-half, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, 34) collided head-on with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while attempting to punch a free-kick. Martínez was treated on the pitch for more than ten minutes, then stretchered off and taken to a nearby hospital for “precautionary tests.” He later underwent emergency surgery for a fractured upper jaw and was diagnosed with a concussion.
Background & Context
Martínez joined Chelsea in the summer of 2026 after a spell at Aston Villa. In his first five Premier League outings for the Blues he had conceded 11 goals, and the club had not kept a clean sheet since January. Manager Xabi Alonso (Spain) was seeking his first defensive milestone with the team. The injury forced Alonso to introduce Mike Penders (Belgium, 21), a £17 million signing from Genk in 2024, who made his Premier League debut.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Chelsea 2 – 0 Everton.
- Goal scorer: Pedro Neto (Portugal) – two goals (first-half brace).
- Stoppage time added: 11 minutes due to Martínez’s treatment.
- Clean sheet: Chelsea’s first in nine months and first in 22 league games.
Official Statements & Responses
Chelsea’s medical team confirmed the surgery was successful, and Martínez posted on Instagram on October 18, 2026 thanking supporters and saying the operation “went well.” He noted the priority was the win and that he would focus on recovery.
Alonso said Martínez left the stadium conscious and was undergoing hospital tests, emphasizing the club’s cautious approach under the FA’s concussion protocol, which mandates a minimum 14-day sidelining period and a six-stage return-to-play programme.
Everton manager David Moyes said he had not seen the injury from the dugout.
Pedro Neto dedicated the victory to Martínez, calling the win “for him.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Concussion vs. jaw fracture: Early reports (e.g., ESPN, Reuters) described the injury primarily as a concussion, while Argentine media and later statements identified a fractured jaw that required surgery.
- Recovery timeline: Martínez’s own comment about returning “in a few weeks” is an expectation, not a confirmed date. The FA protocol suggests at least two weeks, but no club-official timetable has been released.
What’s Next
Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures are Tottenham Hotspur on October 24, 2026, a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool on October 28, and a Premier League clash with Manchester United on October 31.
Martínez is expected to miss the remainder of October and early November, making him unavailable for the Tottenham and Liverpool matches and a “doubtful” for the Manchester United game. The FA’s concussion guidelines require a 48-hour rest period followed by a graduated return-to-play protocol; a realistic return could be after the international break, potentially for the Leeds United match on November 21 or the Nottingham Forest game on November 27.
Mike Penders is set to start the next three matches, giving the young Belgian his first extended run in Chelsea’s first-team goalkeeping role.