In another busy summer transfer window, Xabi Alonso has appeared to have solved another glaring issue for Chelsea this summer
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 final football match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa FC. Aston Villa FC won 3-0 over SC Freiburg
Emiliano Martinez is now a Chelsea player(Image: © 2026 Nicolò Campo)
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Chelsea have completed the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine arrives in a deal believed to be worth around £7.5million.
The Blues' goalkeeping issues were further confounded in the victory over Fulham. While Xabi Alonso's side looked impressive in the 3-2 win over the Cottagers, Robert Sanchez would have been disappointed with both goals he conceded at Craven Cottage.
Sanchez, 28, has had many high moments at Chelsea, particularly his performances in the Club World Cup triumph, but he has also been dropped by Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. His frustrating display against Fulham could now be his last appearance for Chelsea.
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He did not feature for the Blues in the recent 2-0 victory over Luton Town in the League Cup, with Mike Penders being given the nod to face Jack Wilshere's side. Penders has been tipped for great things at Stamford Bridge but remains a raw and inexperienced goalkeeper at the age of 21 years old.
Martinez is expected to sign a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge with the option of an additional 12 months. He arrives at the club with a World Cup winners medal, two in the Copa America and the Europa League, which he won last year after competing in the final with a broken finger.
Alonso did initially back the Spaniard after he allowed Josh King's weak first-half effort to squirm under him before pushing another saveable effort into the path of Gonzalo Garcia to head home.
Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Robert Sanchez reacts to conceding their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on August 24, 2026
Sanchez's future at Stamford Bridge is now uncertain(Image: AFP or licensors)
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The Chelsea boss said: "It's not about talking about individuals, their situations. It's about understanding what it takes. For sure, the first goal we can do better than that. But it's a process. It's day one. And normally it's easier to learn with three points.”
It remains to be seen what happens with Sanchez's future at the club. Given the timing of Martinez's transfer, it's possible Sanchez is also behind Penders in the pecking order.
In just over three years at Chelsea, Sanchez has made 111 appearances in all competitions ever since his £25m move from Brighton and Hove Albion. He has already fought off competition from Djordje Petrovic (who was sold to Bournemouth in the summer of 2024) and Filip Jorgensen, who left this summer to join Strasbourg on loan.
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