Chelsea have made contact over Emiliano Martinez as doubts grow around Robert Sanchez’s performances.
Full name: Chelsea Football Club Nickname: The Blues Founded: 10 March 1905 Ground: Stamford Bridge Owner: BlueCo Chairman: Todd Boehly Manager: Xabi Alonso League: Premier League Season 2025-26: 10th position Website: chelseafc.com Chelsea Football Club is one of the most… Read More about CHELSEA
Chelsea are weighing up a move for Emiliano Martinez, with the latest transfer news linking the west London club to Aston Villa’s goalkeeper. Talks with his agents reportedly began this week.
Emiliano Martinez available after Suzuki signing
Martinez has become free to leave this summer, as reported by BBC. Villa recently signed Japan star Zion Suzuki from Parma for close to £30m earlier this month. That deal has pushed the 33-year-old Argentine down the order at Villa Park.
The two clubs already have close ties in the transfer market this year. Chelsea also completed a club-record £117m deal for Morgan Rogersfrom Villa in that same window. Alejandro Garnacho then moved to Villa Park on an initial loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy. Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65m, could also head to Villa this summer. That move would reunite him with old boss Unai Emery, who now leads the Villa project.
Back in 2024, the sides struck a deal many in football described as a PSR swap. Defender Ian Maatsen joined Villa, while Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, moved on to Chelsea. Interest from Juventus in Emiliano Martinez fell apart earlier this window over worries about a finger injury. The Italian side turned instead to Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario, signing him on loan.
Emiliano Martinez’s stats in the 2025-26 season at Aston Villa, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Appearances Clean Sheets Saves Goal Conceded Save Percentage(%)
Premier League 32 7 95 39 70.9%
Europa League 11 6 30 7 81.1%
Sanchez’s form puts Chelsea’s keeper plans in focus
Robert Sanchez stays as Chelsea’s main keeper, though his recent form has raised real doubts among fans. In the opening Premier League game against Fulham, Sanchez was beaten at his near post by a low shot from Josh King. He then let a second shot slip into a bad area of the box near goal. Chelsea still won that game 3-2 away at Craven Cottage, despite those costly slips from Sanchez. Two errors in one half are the kind of stat that follows a keeper into every headline for weeks.
Tactically, a shaky keeper hurts the calm build-up play that Xabi Alonso wants from his back line. Martinez brings calm, strong kicking, and a proven name at the top level of football. Those traits could settle Chelsea’s back line during what looks like a hard season ahead.
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Alonso reacts to questions over Sanchez and Penders
Speaking before the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town, Alonso played down talk of any rift with his keeper. As reported by The Athletic, he said his chats with Sanchez had focused mainly on the team, not on his individual errors. “It was more about understanding the context,”Alonso said, adding that Chelsea are still growing as a group this term.
Mike Penders, who came back from a strong loan spell at Strasbourg, gives Alonso a second choice in goal. Alonso said Penders is still very much part of his plans and could get his chance soon.“He’s in the squad, so he has an opportunity,” Alonso said, though he did not confirm his lineup just yet. He said he wants his players to hear the team news first, straight from him.
Whether Chelsea move for Martinez remains to be seen. For now, the keeper spot remains one of the more unsettled areas in Alonso’s squad. A decision on his goalkeeping options is likely to come before the transfer window shuts.
Also Read: Dario Essugo could leave Chelsea as Strasbourg move emerges