‘I will see you soon on the pitch!’: Cesar Azpilicueta gives a thumbs up from his hospital bed as smiling Chelsea captain posts positive update following horror collision against Southampton which saw him given OXYGEN as he left on a stretcher
- Cesar Azpilicueta has posted on social media following his sickening head injury
- The Blues skipper shared a smiling picture from hospital with a thumbs up
- The Spaniard left the field on stretcher following a collision with Sekou Mara
Cesar Azpilicueta has given a positive update after his sickening head injury during Chelsea‘s 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.
The 33-year-old is believed to have been unconscious after Southampton substitute Sekou Mara attempted to volley the ball but only booted Azpilicueta in the face. It was a horrible collision and the thud could be heard around Stamford Bridge.
Azpilicueta needed oxygen as he was treated by medics from both teams for nearly 10 minutes on the pitch.
It was a collision that fans and players fearing the worst, but the 33-year-old has taken to social media to post a positive update on his condition.
The defender posted a smiling picture from his hospital bed, giving a thumbs up and including a message of thanks for all the support following the incident.
Southampton’s Sekou Mara accidentally kicked him in the face while attempting an overhead kick
Cesar Azpilicueta took to social media to share a positive update following the head injury
Azpilicueta said: ‘Hi everyone! Thank you all for your love and messages of support! My family and I would like to thank everyone who has been looking after me since yesterday’s incident…’
The second-half collision saw players rush to appeal for medical attention for the Spaniard.
The match was delayed 10 minutes while medics attended to Azpilicueta, where he was given oxygen before being stretchered off the pitch wearing a neck brace to a sea of concerned faces from all sides of the stadium.
When Azpilicueta was taken from the field, he was lucid enough to clap supporters as they applauded him.
But team-mates and opponents were left distressed by the injury, with Kai Havertz crouching down near Azpilicueta, hands over his face.
Potter was asked afterwards if the defender had been unconscious.
‘I think he was,’ the Chelsea boss said. ‘So we have to take all the precautions and make sure he’s ok but it was worrying, it was a horrible incident.’
James Ward-Prowse’s goal gave Southampton a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, condemning Chelsea to their second loss in a week following the defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Players immediately rushed to the aid of Azpilicueta following the nasty collision with Mara
Azpilicueta was forced off with a head injury in Chelsea’s clash with Southampton