Signed in the morning, in the XI by kick-off
Emiliano Martinez did both on Sunday.
Chelsea confirmed the deal with Aston Villa around 8.5 million euros, three years. Hours later the Argentina goalkeeper was named in the starting side against Brighton. No settling-in period, no bench.
Juventus had been circling for weeks. He stays in England instead.
Try it for $0.99.
Sixty-seven caps and two Yashin trophies walk through the door
Martinez is 33. Argentina’s undisputed No 1 since his debut in June 2021, with 67 caps behind him. A World Cup in 2022. Copa America in 2021 and again in 2024. Yashin trophies in 2023 and 2024, handed to the best goalkeeper on the planet.
Add last season’s Europa League with Villa. Chelsea becomes his seventh English club after Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal, Rotherham, Wolverhampton, Reading and Villa.
Not a bad landing spot for a keeper who spent most of his twenties packing a bag for another loan.
Four keepers, one shirt, and a decision Alonso cannot delay
Robert Sanchez has looked shaky since he arrived. Nobody at the club will say that on record, but the signing says it plainly enough.
The queue behind him is the real problem. Mike Penders is back from a strong loan spell at Strasbourg. Filip Jorgensen went the other way to Racing, still contracted to the Blues until 2031. Gabriel Slonina, 22, trialled by Strasbourg over the summer, remains in the squad.
Xabi Alonso has four goalkeepers and one place. That call is coming, and soon.
Discover more football news on our mathodds site and app!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply