Chelsea’s Martinez taken to hospital for precautionary tests
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was rushed to hospital for precautionary examinations after sustaining what manager Xabi Alonso described as a concussion during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday. The Argentina international had helped the Blues secure their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, ending a run of 23 matches without one.
The incident occurred in the 68th minute when Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while challenging for a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall’s free‑kick. Play was halted for eight minutes before Martinez was substituted for Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut for Chelsea and completed the match.
Speaking after the game, Alonso said, “It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait. What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests. We need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait.”
Martinez’s fitness for the next three fixtures – a Premier League clash with Tottenham, a game against Manchester United, and a Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool – is now uncertain.
Chelsea’s win marked their first clean sheet in the league since a 2‑0 triumph over Brentford in January. Although Alonso said he was not obsessed with keeping a clean sheet, the team, which had conceded a league‑high 13 goals before kickoff, were eager to improve after a 5‑1 victory over Bournemouth following the international break.
The result also helped dispel the view that Chelsea are a “soft” side away from home in the north of England. Historically, they had lost 19 of their previous 41 matches north of Luton over the past four years. Last season, they were beaten 3‑0 at Everton during Liam Rosenior’s five‑match winless run, a spell that ultimately cost him his job. Prior to this meeting, Chelsea had won only one of their last nine visits to the Toffees.
Everton managed just six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game since they recorded five against Arsenal in December. Chelsea allowed only one clear‑cut chance and posted their lowest expected goals against (xG) figure against top‑flight opposition this season at 0.45.
Chelsea lined up in a back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, with Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato operating as wing‑backs. The midfield partnership of Moises Caicedo, returning from international duty, and new signing Jordan Henderson added solidity and experience. It was club‑record signing Morgan Rogers, acquired for £117 million, who set the tone early, confronting Everton defender James Tarkowski in a lively first half.
Alonso praised the performance: “We needed to show that we can win in this way. We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control. In the first half there were difficult periods with throw‑ins, corners and pressure from Everton. You have to overcome those moments. In the Premier League it is very hard to have complete control in an away game, but you cannot lose your shape or your conviction.”
With the upcoming schedule, questions arise about whether Penders, who became Chelsea’s youngest Premier League goalkeeper at 21, is ready for the demanding run of fixtures. If Martinez’s concussion is confirmed, Premier League protocols would likely require a minimum 14‑day return‑to‑play period.
Penders joined Chelsea from Genk for £17 million in 2024 and spent the 2024‑25 season on loan at sister club Strasbourg, impressing in both the Conference League and Ligue 1. Developed by Genk’s renowned goalkeeper coaches Guy Martens and Gilbert Roex, he is often compared to Thibaut Courtois. Like Courtois, Penders stands 6 ft 7 in and has served as an understudy for the Belgium national team. Roex, who has known Penders since his academy days, believes he can reach Courtois’s level, saying, “His sense of calm is gold in goalkeeping.”