Cesar Azpilicueta gives a thumbs up from his hospital bed after terrifying head injury

César Azpilicueta has given a positive update after his terrifying head injury during Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday.

The Blues captain was knocked unconscious after Southampton substitute Sekou Mara tried to volley the ball, only to kick Azpilicueta square in the face and saw himself given oxygen before leaving the field on a stretcher.

It was a collision fans and players alike feared the worst, but the 33-year-old took to social media to post a positive update on his condition.

The defender posted a smiling image from his hospital bed, giving a thumbs up and including a message of thanks for all the support after the incident.

Azpilicueta said: ‘Hello everyone! Thank you all for your love and messages of support! My family and I want to thank everyone who has been taking care of me since yesterday’s incident…’

He was accidentally kicked in the face by Sekou Mara of Southampton while attempting an overhead kick

César Azpilicueta took to social media to share a positive update following the head injury.

The second-half collision caused a thud that could be heard across Stamford Bridge, and saw players rush to call for medical attention for the Spaniard.

The game was delayed 10 minutes while doctors attended to Azpilicueta, where he was given oxygen before being stretched off the pitch in a neck brace before a sea of ​​concerned faces from all sides of the stadium.

Players on both sides were distraught, with Kai Havertz crouched near Azpilicueta, hands over his face.

However, after the match, Graham Potter was able to ease some of the defender’s fears by confirming that he was conscious and speaking to his wife.

However, Potter believed that his captain had lost consciousness at some point on the field after the kick to the face.

The Chelsea boss said: ‘I think it was. So we have to take every precaution and make sure he’s okay, but it was concerning, it was a horrible incident.”

Azpilicueta is now likely to be sidelined for a spell, piling up problems for Potter and his Chelsea team.

James Ward-Prowse’s goal saw Southampton win 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s second defeat in a week after the midweek loss to Borussia Dortmund, and means the Blues managed just one win in 2023 .

The players immediately came to the aid of Azpilicueta after the unpleasant clash with Mara

César Azpilicueta was sent off with a head injury in Chelsea’s clash with Southampton