"Chelsea didn't care" – Player reveals injury didn't stop Blues from signing him, needs surgery

Martínez reveals Chelsea knew of his fractured finger injury from the Europa League final but signed him anyway; he now needs surgery and recently suffered a fractured jaw.

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has disclosed that the club were fully aware of a fractured finger he sustained during Aston Villa's Europa League final victory over Freiburg in May, yet proceeded with his summer signing regardless. The 34-year-old Argentine had delayed surgery to compete at the World Cup, which cost him a move to Juventus after their medical team deemed him unfit to play. "Chelsea didn't care, and I'm playing," Martínez said on a podcast, adding that he still experiences pain and will eventually require the operation.

Complicating matters further, Martínez suffered a fractured jaw and three broken teeth in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite earlier this month, requiring a plate with four screws. He is uncertain whether he will be fit for Argentina's friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica in November, saying his availability will depend on his recovery progress during the international break.