Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of completing the Emi Martinez signing. The Aston Villa goalkeeper might be heading towards Chelsea by the end of this week. The Emi Martinez signing will give Chelsea a good option in their goal, with Robert Sanchez not inspiring confidence in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham in their first of the new season under Xabi Alonso.
Martinez is a World Cup winner with Argentina and has also won the Europa League with Aston Villa. The Emi Martinez signing should bolster Chelsea considerably by strengthening their defence, which has been their weakest link during the past few years.
Emi Martinez Signing Will Give Chelsea a Top Goalkeeper for the First Time Since Thibaut Courtois Left
Courtois left Chelsea in 2018, and the Royal Blues have not really had a top goalkeeper since. The likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Sanchez have all played for the club, but none of them could be the rock in goal that Chelsea desired.
That is a far cry from the days of Petr Cech and Courtois, two top goalkeepers who played for Chelsea from 2004 to 2018. Cech won the Premier League Golden Gloves a record four times, and Courtois won it once.
According to many, Cech is simply the greatest goalkeeper to have played in the Premier League. Should the Emi Martinez signing happen ultimately, it will give Chelsea a top option in goal once again.
Martinez has played in 256 matches for Aston Villa in his six seasons with them. Prior to that, he spent a loan stint in La Liga and was also the reserve goalkeeper for Arsenal for a long time. Martinez played in 38 matches for Arsenal, but could never become their top-choice goalkeeper aside from the 2019/20 season.
Martinez has been a top performer for his country, though, and played a crucial role in their winning the World Cup in 2022. However, the downside of the Emi Martinez signing is that he will turn 34 in a week and hence, his recruitment cannot be on a long-term basis.
Still, the Emi Martinez signing should give Chelsea a few years of quality goalkeeping. Sanchez is into his fourth season at the West London club and has registered 112 appearances for them. Still, he has not yet been able to stamp his authority in the Chelsea goal.
The Emi Martinez signing should alleviate a lot of Xabi Alonso‘s concerns, as far as his team’s defence is concerned. The Argentine has a big presence and can command authority inside the penalty box. He is a good shot-stopper as well.
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Martinez Might Become Another Player to Leave Aston Villa
There has been an exodus of sorts from Aston Villa this season, with Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne all leaving the club. In such a scenario, if Martinez leaves as well, it will prove to be a tough season for Unai Emery’s side.
However, Martinez will cherish the chance of playing for a top English club like Chelsea. However, should he come to join the Blues, he will have to contend without European football this season. Martinez has regularly played in the UEFA Champions League for Villa in the recent past.
However, he might be ready to help Chelsea out in securing their berth in Champions League football next season by finishing inside the top four in the Premier League this season.
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