Jesse Derry says it was a “dream come true” to make his Chelsea debut despite being hospitalised after suffering a head injury.
The 18-year-old attacker made his first start in the Premier League on Monday afternoon as the Blues fell to a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
Derry was forced off just before halftime, however, after clashing heads with Zach Abbott.
After a lengthy stoppage, during which he received oxygen on the pitch, he was stretchered off the pitch and replaced by Liam Delap as a concussion substitute.
Chelsea confirmed that he was “conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks” in hospital. He has since been released and the club will continue to monitor him.
Jesse Derry says Chelsea debut ‘dream come true’ despite horror clash
“A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut,” Derry wrote on social media.
“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.”
It was Derry’s third senior appearance for Chelsea after coming off the bench twice in the FA Cup this season. The England U19 international joined the west London outfit on a four-year contract last summer after coming through the Crystal Palace academy.
Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez were also involved in a nasty clash in the second half. Gibbs-White had to be replaced by Chris Wood just 20 minutes after coming on as a halftime substitute, although Forest confirmed he was not taken off due to concussion.
