Horrific surgery update on Chelsea starter makes it clear return will not be rushed

Emi Martinez has revealed some of the details of the horrific surgery he had to repair his broken jaw a couple of weeks ago.

One of the scariest moments this season for Chelsea fans was seeing Emi Martinez knocked out cold after a mid-air collision with Jarrad Branthwaite in our game against Everton.

Xabi Alonso’s comments before the international break confirmed that Martinez had been concussed (how could he not have been, given that impact?) and now the goalkeeper himself has given a little more detail on the horrific surgery he had on his jaw after the incident.

“They put in a plate with four screws and secured three teeth. They put one screw in from the outside and the rest from the inside,” Martinez said in a talk with the Argentine media.

“I spoke to [Argentina manager] Scaloni, and my plan is to be there for both matches and play. I don’t know if I’ll make the first or the second game. That will depend on contact and how things go during the week.”

Chelsea won’t want to rush him back, but playing a couple of games for his country would be good proof that he’s ready to step in for the Blues. Until then, Mike Penders has been solid in his place.

Moises Caicedo is already feeling “tired”, according to an interview done while on international duty.

Chelsea’s bad injury news goes on with a young defender now pulling out of his national team duty.