Emiliano Martinez signs for Chelsea as Sanchez and Fernandez left out of squad
Chelsea have signed World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and midfielder Enzo Fernandez — whose future at the club remains uncertain — were both left out of the squad against Brighton.
Martinez becomes Chelsea's new goalkeeper
Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Argentina international goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa. The 33-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2022, has signed a three-year deal with the west London club. According to the BBC, the transfer fee was £7.5m.
Martinez began his career in Independiente's youth system before joining Arsenal in 2010, where he became a first-choice player in the 2019/20 season and won the FA Cup. He moved to Aston Villa in September 2020, making 256 appearances over six seasons and helping the club win the UEFA Europa League this past May. With Argentina, Martinez has twice won the Copa America (2021, 2024) and lifted the World Cup in 2022, and was twice awarded the Yashin Trophy (2023, 2024) as the world's best goalkeeper.
"I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez said. "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. I want to be successful here."
According to the BBC, Juventus had also shown interest in Martinez earlier in the transfer window, but a finger injury is understood to have prevented that move.
Sanchez and Fernandez out of the squad
In Sunday's match against Brighton, Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso left both goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and midfielder Enzo Fernandez out of the squad entirely. Martinez, registered in time for the fixture, started in goal, with young Belgian keeper Mike Penders named as substitute.
Asked about Sanchez's omission, Alonso said: "We'll see. It was a decision we thought was good for the team, for the club. Sometimes you have to take tough decisions because this one is an important one. But now we need to look forward."
Fernandez had already been left out of the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup win over Luton in midweek, when Alonso explained the decision was "better for the team" rather than related to transfer interest. As reported by the London Evening Standard, Manchester City continue to be linked with the 25-year-old Argentine, who was booed by both Chelsea and Fulham supporters during the west London derby. Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto started in midfield against Brighton instead.
A close relationship between Chelsea and Villa
Martinez's move marks the eighth deal between Chelsea and Aston Villa in the past four years — more than between any other two Premier League clubs — and follows Nicolas Jackson's transfer to Villa the previous week. Per the BBC, since Chelsea's takeover by owners BlueCo in 2022, Chelsea have paid Villa £163.5m for players, while Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players, a figure that could rise to £150.5m depending on conditions in Alejandro Garnacho's loan deal.
