Chelsea beat neighbours Fulham 3-2 in their Premier League opener but there was plenty to think about for Xabi Alonso, especially in goal
Xabi Alonso reacts.
Sky Sports pundits have warned Xabi Alonso that his goalkeeper could haunt Chelsea's prospects(Image: Getty Images)
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Gary Neville has namedropped Emiliano Martinez as a potential solution to Chelsea's goalkeeping problems. The former Manchester United defender criticised Robert Sanchez after the Blues shot-stopper didn't cover himself in glory during the 3-2 win over Fulham.
The Spanish shot-stopper couldn't keep out Josh King's first-half equaliser as the low effort squirmed in at the near post. Meanwhile, he couldn't only parry a shot to Gonzalo Garcia, who headed in from close-range, as Xabi Alonso's side held on to pick up a win in their curtain-raiser.
The goalkeeping department has been a problem area for the side. Chelsea had pushed to sign France goalkeeper Mike Maignan in 2025 after failing in their efforts to land him from AC Milan.
Neville namedropped out-of-favour Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez as a player that could solve the issue between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "They've added an experienced player in key positions, I don't know if Emi Martinez is available but someone like that needs to come in.
"That will undermine everything they do. Everything positive for Fulham came through Sanchez giving them the goal, their best periods after the goals and both were poor mistakes. He's patting him on the back but it's a problem.
"When you're managing a football club, you have to make some ruthless decisions," Neville added. "They've strengthened all over the football pitch, they brought brilliant players in.
"You cannot take a chance with a goalkeeper, it's the one that carries the most scrutiny. In the next seven or eight days, Xabi Alonso may have to make a decision that he needs to bring in an experienced goalkeeper.
"His job is to be successful and he may stick with Robert Sanchez but I think he has to protect himself."
The Argentinian goalkeeper has seen his future repeatedly come under the microscope following links over a move to Saudi Arabia and Manchester United in recent seasons.
Gary Neville reckons Emiliano Martinez might be the answer for Chelsea
Gary Neville reckons Emiliano Martinez might be the answer for Chelsea(Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Juventus came calling this summer but a move fell through for the World Cup-winner, leaving him out in the cold as Zion Suzuki arrived from Parma on the back of an impressive tournament with Japan.
While Neville raised doubts over Martinez's availability, Unai Emery's side have a decision to make over whether to cash-in on the 33-year-old, despite having three years remaining on his deal at Villa Park. Although their 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening day could be cause for reconsidering their goalkeeping department.
With Sanchez's tetchy display at Craven Cottage threatening to haunt a promising campaign for Alonso's men, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher warned that a failure to reinforce their goalkeeping departure this summer could be something they rue.
He said: "I do think there's concerns defensively, you look at the goalkeeper but they didn't deal with the direct play.
"What they've got at the top end of the pitch but they're going to have to sort the goalkeeping out because it is going to haunt them again."
Carragher continued: "We're not saying anything we haven't said in the last two or three seasons. He's consoling him but Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal.
"The last three teams who won the league, changed their goalkeeper. Pep bringing Ederson in, Alisson comes in for Liverpool, Arsenal don't win the league if they don't bring Raya in for Ramsdale. You can go back through history, 99 times out of 100, the manager has gone out to get a goalkeeper that can win them the league."
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