Emiliano Martinez expects Chelsea return in a few weeks after operation

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said on Sunday that his operation went well and he expects to return in a few weeks, after a collision during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Everton left him needing hospital treatment. His estimate does not establish a date for his return to Chelsea’s team.

Martinez thanked people for their messages in a social media post from hospital. ‘The operation went well,’ he wrote, adding: ‘The most important thing is that we won, and kept a clean sheet. In a few weeks we'll be back.’ BBC Sport reported the post; Martinez did not specify what operation he had undergone.

How Martinez was injured against Everton

Alonso said Martinez had left the stadium conscious and was undergoing precautionary tests. ‘It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know,’ he said, explaining that he had seen only one clip of the incident. That was Alonso’s assessment after the match, before Martinez’s Sunday update.

Pedro Neto scored both of Chelsea’s goals, putting them ahead shortly after half-time and adding a second in the 90th minute. The National reported that Everton suffered their first defeat of the season and that Chelsea’s clean sheet ended a run of 22 league matches without one.

Mike Penders steps in for Chelsea

Mike Penders replaced Martinez during the stoppage and made his Premier League debut. The 21-year-old helped Chelsea complete the clean sheet. Alonso praised his response: ‘Mike has personality. He's brave and we have full trust with him. He did well when he came on,’ BBC Sport reported.

Penders joined Chelsea from Belgian club Genk for £17 million in 2024, according to BBC Sport. Alonso said he had already played in cup games and stressed that other squad members must be ready when called upon.

BBC Sport expects Penders to play in at least Chelsea’s next three matches: Premier League games against Tottenham and Manchester United, with a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool between them. Chelsea has not confirmed Martinez’s availability for any of those fixtures; his own forecast remains ‘a few weeks.’