Chelsea Consider Emiliano Martínez Amid Sánchez Concerns

Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, with the World Cup winner’s representatives sounding out the club as Villa move towards a reshaped future in goal, a source told ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

Villa’s stance is clear. With Japan international Zion Suzuki arriving and viewed internally as their long-term No. 1, Martínez is now available at the right price. A proposed move to Juventus collapsed earlier in August, and the Argentina international was left out of the squad for Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the Premier League’s opening weekend.

Now Chelsea are on the phone list.

Sánchez under the spotlight

The timing is no coincidence. Robert Sánchez’s position has come under fierce examination after another error-strewn display, this time in Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham. His latest mistake — allowing a tame Josh King shot to squirm through him — has sharpened internal debate at Stamford Bridge about whether they can trust him in a title-chasing season.

Club figures are understood to be actively considering a move for Martínez before the transfer window shuts, with the option formally on the table.

Chelsea had hoped the solution might already be in-house. Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, 21, impressed on loan at Strasbourg last season and is in line to make his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. The long-term plan had been for Penders to grow into a genuine challenger for Sánchez and eventually the No. 1 shirt.

But the market has shifted. The chance to bring in a proven Premier League goalkeeper, a World Cup winner and established international, offers an immediate upgrade for a squad aiming to fight at the top end of the table. Martínez was central to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and also featured as they finished runners-up to Spain at this summer’s tournament.

Chelsea know exactly what that level of experience looks like under pressure. Right now, they don’t see enough of it in their own box.

Sánchez’s Chelsea struggle

This is not a new problem. Sánchez’s form has troubled a succession of Chelsea managers.

Mauricio Pochettino eventually removed him as first choice in 2024, turning instead to the relatively untested Serbia international Djordje Petrovic. Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior also sidelined Sánchez for stretches in response to dips in performance, underlining the lack of trust that has followed him through recent months.

For a club trying to re-establish itself among the Premier League’s elite, that uncertainty in goal is becoming harder to ignore.

Villa’s reset and financial push

On the other side of the deal, Villa’s willingness to sell Martínez is driven by more than just Suzuki’s arrival. The club want to lower the average age of their squad and generate funds to stay on the right side of financial regulations.

Martínez, signed from Arsenal for £17 million ($23m) in 2020, is one of their most saleable assets. Villa’s need to raise money this summer has been widely documented, even with significant departures already agreed.

• Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea for £117 million ($159m)
• Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also left

Those moves are part of a broader attempt to comply with UEFA and Premier League financial rules, and cashing in on a high-profile goalkeeper would only strengthen that position.

If Chelsea decide to move, Villa are ready to talk.

Alonso calm over Enzo amid City interest

While the goalkeeper debate rumbles on, Xabi Alonso has another high-profile situation to manage. The Chelsea head coach insisted on Wednesday that he expects Enzo Fernández to feature against Luton, despite persistent speculation over the midfielder’s future.

Fernández, valued by Chelsea at around £120 million ($163m), has been consistently linked with Manchester City. For now, Alonso is treating him as part of the plan.

“Yes we expect that he’s involved. He’s training really well and he is a good professional,” Alonso said at his news conference.

Asked whether he wants the 25-year-old to stay, Alonso did not hesitate: “We want to have the best team possible. We know Enzo and his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait. We’ll think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop.”

Alonso confirmed that Moisés Caicedo and Marco Palestra remain sidelined through injury, but Cole Palmer has been passed fit.

So Chelsea head into the Luton tie with their playmaker available, their record signings in the treatment room, and their goalkeeper under fire — while a World Cup winner waits to see if the call from Stamford Bridge turns into something more.