Jesse Derry has issued an update after the Chelsea youngster suffered a head injury on his Premier League debut.
The 18-year-old was handed his maiden top-flight appearance by interim Blues head coach Calum McFarlane for Monday’s meeting with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
But Derry’s debut ended prematurely before half-time as the result of a sickening, accidental clash of heads with Forest defender Zach Abbott.
Derry received lengthy treatment from Chelsea’s medical staff on the pitch and was given oxygen in worrying scenes as the game was stopped for several minutes before he was then stretchered off and taken to St Mary's Hospital.
Chelsea later confirmed following their 3-1 home defeat by relegation-battling Forest that Derry was “conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks”.
The player himself has now provided a new update to fans, writing on Instagram on Tuesday morning: “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 team-mates, and all the fans for their great support.
An update from Jesse Derry. 💙 pic.twitter.com/c7Wdwzeu16
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 5, 2026
“I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.”
Derry, the son of former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry, joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace last summer and had made the senior matchday squad on a couple of previous occasions after impressing at youth level, making substitute cameos in FA Cup wins over Wrexham and Hull.
He was not the only Chelsea player to suffer a head injury during the club’s sixth consecutive league defeat that officially ended their hopes of a top-five finish and Champions League qualification for next season.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also hurt in the second half during a collision with Morgan Gibbs-White and he received treatment and had his head bandaged before being replaced by deputy Filip Jorgensen, with substitute Gibbs-White also needing to be withdrawn after sustaining a nasty cut.
Along with Derry, the Spaniard will now be considered a doubt for Saturday’s lunchtime trip to face Liverpool at Anfield as he goes through the Football Association’s (FA) concussion protocols.
Sanchez and Derry join a lengthy Chelsea injury list that already includes the likes of attacking quartet Estevao, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
