Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Chelsea goalkeeper situation is rather complicated after the addition of Emi Martinez.
Chelsea have reached a deal to bring in Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez on a two-year contract for £7.5 million, instantly shaking up an already crowded goalkeeping department.
The move comes at a rough time for current starter Robert Sanchez, whose erratic display and mistakes against Fulham clearly left Xabi Alonso feeling nervous.
Chelsea player ratings vs Luton
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Meanwhile, 21-year-old Mike Penders just turned heads in his starting debut against Luton, looking calm and sharp after coming back from his Strasbourg loan.
So Alonso now faces a real selection headache with no European football to rotate.
Xabi Alonso insists Mike Penders has a role to play at Chelsea
It seems as if Chelsea will continue their season with three goalkeepers fighting for one place, as Xabi Alonso seemed to suggest that Mike Penders has a part to play.
Unless he decides to sanction a move for Robert Sanchez before the window shuts.
He said after the Luton Town win: “Talking about Mike, for sure, he will have games with more work. You could see in some moments he was under pressure and he was calm. He has security of his football. He didn’t make many saves but he’s a great prospect for the future and the present as well.”
It’s likely that Martinez will slot into the number one slot at Stamford Bridge, given his reliability and quality, but the battle for number two will be fascinating.
Chelsea v Luton Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso responds to Emi Martinez question
Xabi Alonso was hesitant to speak on Emi Martinez after the win over Luton simply because he’s not a Chelsea player yet, which is understandable.
He said: “I like to talk about the players in my changing room. It’s not respectful to speak on other things.”
However, all signs point towards Chelsea signing the Argentine with a deal already agreed.