Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has said the signs are “positive” for 18-year-old Jesse Derry after he was hospitalised following a sickening head collision on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.
The academy product, making his first senior start, clashed heads with Forest’s Zach Abbott while competing for a ball in the box. Derry won a penalty but remained on the ground for over eight minutes receiving oxygen before being taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for precautionary checks.
Derry posted on social media on Tuesday: “A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut. I’d like to thank all the Chelsea medical staff, everyone at St. Mary’s Hospital, my teammates, and all the fans for their great support. I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.”
McFarlane told BBC Match of the Day: “All signs positive at the moment so we're hopeful he's in a good condition. Gutted for Jesse, I thought he did well in the game. He gave us a threat - a massive moment for him that has ended sadly.”
Abbott was able to walk off and was replaced by a concussion substitute. The match also saw Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White clash heads with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, both requiring bandaging but able to leave the pitch unaided. Chelsea lost 3-1, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring twice and Igor Jesus adding a penalty.
