Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Moments before Chelsea kicked off their second-round Carabao Cup clash against Luton Town on Thursday evening, the news of Emi Martinez’s imminent arrival from Aston Villa emerged.
Going into the summer window, most fans would have suggested a priority needed to be a goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez has failed to prove himself over the last few seasons since his move from Brighton.
But the season began, and it looked like Alonso was going to stick with Sanchez, while Mike Penders provides stern competition for the Spaniard. Penders started in goal for Chelsea against Luton Town.
However, Sanchez was at fault for both of Fulham’s goals on Monday night, and it has seen Chelsea move swiftly. The Blues have taken advantage of Emi Martinez’s situation at Villa and snapped him up.
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The bargain fee Chelsea are spending to sign Emi Martinez
It appears Chelsea are getting Martinez on the cheap. It has been six years since Villa signed Martinez from Arsenal for £20m, meaning any fee they received for the 2022 World Cup winner would be profit.
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Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday evening that Chelsea would spend a bargain £7.5m to land the former Arsenal goalkeeper. A tiny fee, with Chelsea also on the verge of a £34m deal for Honest Ahanor.
He also confirmed it would be a two-year deal, with the option of a third: “Chelsea have signed Dibu Martínez for £7.5m, two-year contract until June 2028. The agreement includes an option until 2029.”
Chris Sutton delivered his immediate verdict on the deal
The news will have delighted fans, who have been forced to watch Chelsea concede goals left, right and centre thanks to Sanchez’s mistakes. Last season, Liam Rosenior even dropped him for Filip Jorgensen.
On 5 Live, Chris Sutton said: “Robert Sanchez hasn’t been convincing. There has always been this debate that Chelsea need an upgrade. Emi Martinez has been strongly linked – I think he would be an upgrade.”
Chelsea are now set to take their number of arrivals to 13 with the signings of Martinez and Ahanor, while spending looks set to eclipse £400m. If Enzo Fernandez leaves, the Blues may even target a midfielder.