Chelsea: Emi Martinez reveals long-term injury worry as surgery decision made

Martinez has been playing through a broken finger since before the World Cup, deciding against surgery despite ongoing pain; he is currently sidelined with a broken jaw sustained at Everton.

Emi Martinez has revealed he played through excruciating pain from a broken finger sustained before the World Cup, choosing not to undergo surgery on the injury. The Chelsea goalkeeper said the damage left his finger permanently out of place and caused him to "see stars" during matches, with nightly pain until midnight. He played every minute of Argentina's World Cup campaign despite the injury.

Martinez is currently sidelined with a broken jaw sustained in Chelsea's away match at Everton two weeks ago. He said Chelsea's medical team flagged the finger injury during his summer transfer but raised no objection to him joining. The club is fitting him with a protective mask to accelerate his return to action. Mike Penders has deputised in his absence.