Chelsea have struck an agreement with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez to move to Stamford Bridge on an initial two-year contract
Emiliano Martinez
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa(Image: Nicolo Campo/LightRocket)
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Chelsea have reached an agreement worth £7.5million with Aston Villa to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, football.london understands.
The Argentina international shot-stopper is set to sign a two-year contract - with the option of an additional 12 months - at Stamford Bridge after he was offered to the Blues this week. Robert Sanchez was strongly criticised on Monday evening for his performance in Chelsea's win over Fulham at Craven Cottage and Alonso has decided to act.
Martinez was offered to Chelsea via his representatives and the Blues considered the option for a while before deciding to strike. Juventus came close to signing Martinez earlier this summer but the move fell through at the last minute.
While the 33-year-old was negotiating with the Italian club, Villa went and signed Zion Suzuki, who is Unai Emery's No.1 goalkeeper this season. That has left Martinez surplus to requirements at Stamord Bridge.
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Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been under renewed scrutiny following Sanchez’s poor performance in Monday’s 3-2 win against Fulham when he was badly at fault in allowing a tame shot from Josh King to squeeze through him.
It had been hoped that 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and could make his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, would eventually prove able to step up and challenge Sanchez for the number one shirt.
However, the possibility of signing an established Premier League keeper and an experienced international presents obvious advantages for a club looking to challenge for the title this season.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Monday’s game at Craven Cottage, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible. It can’t happen.”
Fellow pundit Gary Neville said: “The reality of it is, Chelsea do need a new goalkeeper and it’s one thing I’m surprised they haven’t dealt with this in the transfer window. That’s the last piece.”
Sanchez’s performances have been an issue that has haunted successive Chelsea managers.
Mauricio Pochettino dropped him as his number one in 2024, preferring the relatively untested Serbia international Djordje Petrovic, whilst Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior also left him out for periods in response to poor form.
Villa have been open to selling Martinez, who joined from Arsenal for £17million in 2020, as they look to lower the average age of their squad.