Chelsea teenager stretchered off with brutal head injury as Premier League debut ends prematurely

Blueswinger Jesse Derry was stretchered off during his first Premier League start after suffering a head injury in a clash with Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott

Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry had to be stretchered off following a nasty collision of heads during Monday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

The 18-year-old was making his maiden Premier League start in the afternoon kick off when he collided with Forest defender Zach Abbott towards the end of the first half.

The two young players were challenging for a bouncing ball in the box following a Blues corner.

Referee Anthony Taylor instantly pointed to the spot and medical teams rushed onto the pitch. While Abbott recovered relatively quickly and was substituted by Neco Williams as a concussion replacement, Derry remained on the turf.

Following an extended stoppage, the Chelsea winger was eventually substituted by Liam Delap as he was carried off on a stretcher. To compound Chelsea’s misery, Cole Palmer’s subsequent penalty was then kept out by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, leaving the score at 2-0 to the visitors.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer commented on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s an unfortunate incident, there was no malice there. I think Derry just gets there just ahead of Zach Abbott and both players were on the ground.”, reports the Mirror.

Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith, providing co-commentary for Sky Sports, remarked: “It was a 50/50 ball in the air, really. I’m surprised he points to the spot. It’s a nasty clash of heads, both players look badly injured.”

Derry, the son of former Premier League midfielder Shaun Derry, had been an encouraging presence for Chelsea on the left flank, with Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto missing at Stamford Bridge.

His injury only added to Chelsea’s wretched first half, as they headed into the break two goals down following Taiwo Awoniyi’s early header and Igor Jesus’ penalty, awarded after Malo Gusto hauled his shirt in the box.

Forest made eight changes to their starting line-up for the Premier League fixture, with one eye firmly on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa later in the week.

Yet Chelsea, who came into the match on the back of five consecutive league defeats, were well below par in the opening stages.

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