Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has completed a £7.5 million transfer to Chelsea and started against Brighton. The 33-year-old's registration was finalized before the Premier League's Friday noon deadline, making him immediately eligible for the weekend fixture, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
Martinez signed a three-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. Chelsea confirmed the signing on Sunday morning. He replaced Robert Sanchez in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge, with Sanchez omitted from the matchday squad entirely.
Why was Chelsea in the market for a goalkeeper?
Chelsea's need for a new number one became clear after their season-opening 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday. Robert Sanchez, the 28-year-old who joined from Brighton in 2023, made errors in that game. Sanchez had made 112 appearances for Chelsea, but his performance prompted a swift move. His backup for the Fulham match was 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, who is highly rated at the club following an impressive loan at Strasbourg last season.
Martinez's representatives offered him to Chelsea after a proposed move to Juventus broke down earlier in August. This presented Chelsea with a ready-made solution to their goalkeeping concerns.
How did Martinez's Aston Villa exit unfold?
Emiliano Martinez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and became a key player under Unai Emery. He made 256 appearances for Villa and was integral to their recent success, which included two top-four finishes in three seasons and a Europa League trophy. Emery once called him the world's best goalkeeper.
Martinez wanted to leave last summer, waiting for a call from Manchester United that never came. Villa initially planned to keep him this summer, but the player pushed for a move and flirted with Juventus. The club then agreed to sell. Villa swiftly signed 24-year-old Zion Suzuki from Parma as his replacement, installing him as the new number one. After Suzuki's arrival, Martinez trained alone for a week before his transfer was completed.
What does this mean for Aston Villa now?
The immediate impact sees Villa 17th in the Premier League after one game, with zero points, zero wins, zero draws, and one loss. They have a -4 goal difference, having conceded four goals without scoring, and sit six points behind leaders Manchester City. Their next fixture is a tough home match against Arsenal on 31 August. The club's injuries list currently includes several key players, adding to the challenge of integrating new signings like Suzuki.
Martinez expressed his excitement about the move. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon - I can't wait to get started," he said. He added, "I want to be successful here."
What is the context for Villa's season start?
Villa's difficult start is compounded by a growing injuries list. Key attackers Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey are currently sidelined, alongside others. This puts immediate pressure on the squad as they prepare to face an Arsenal side sitting 6th in the table. Fans can track the team's recovery and upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. The sale of a world-class goalkeeper marks a significant shift, and Villa's ability to bounce back will depend on how quickly their new lineup gels.
