Chelsea Considers Late Move for Emi Martinez Amid Sanchez Concerns
Chelsea are exploring a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez after the Argentina international was offered to the club by his representatives.
The approach comes with current No 1 Robert Sanchez under heavy scrutiny following his costly error in Monday night’s win at Fulham, a mistake that reopened a debate Chelsea thought they had parked.
Martinez on the market
Martinez is expected to move on after Villa brought in Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma in a deal worth close to £30m. The signing has sharpened the focus on the 32-year-old’s future and opened the door for clubs in need of a proven, top-level goalkeeper.
Juventus had shown interest earlier in the window but ultimately opted to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Spurs, leaving Martinez still on the market and his camp sounding out options at the top end of the Premier League.
Since arriving from Arsenal in 2020, Martinez has turned himself into one of the most respected goalkeepers in Europe. He has made 256 appearances for Villa, anchoring their rise under Unai Emery and playing a central role in the club’s resurgence on the continental stage.
He helped Villa win the Europa League in May and has been a key figure in guiding them into two Champions League campaigns under Emery, adding genuine weight to his reputation as a big‑occasion goalkeeper.
Serial winner with Argentina
Martinez’s club pedigree is matched – and arguably surpassed – by his international record.
He was Argentina’s hero in their 2022 World Cup triumph and remained a central figure as they reached the final again in 2026, finishing runners-up. On the continental stage, he has lifted the Copa America twice, in 2021 and 2024, and added the Finalissima in 2022, giving him a medal collection that few goalkeepers in world football can rival.
That level of experience is exactly what some at Chelsea believe the squad lacks.
Merson: ‘One of the best in the world’
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is in no doubt about Martinez’s quality – or his personality.
“Martinez is available and he can be hard work sometimes. He comes across like that. But he's one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Merson said.
“And if Chelsea want to get back to being one of the best in the world, you've got to have a top goalkeeper.”
Merson did not spare Sanchez, even while acknowledging the difficulty of the position.
“Robert Sanchez is usually a good shot-stopper. This weekend, or against Arsenal at the Emirates in two weeks' time, he could be mind-blowing. He could make save after save after save and you'll sit there and go: ‘Wow.’ He could save Chelsea next week.
“I don't like picking on goalkeepers because it's a hard job – and you make one mistake for every 50 mistakes the outfield players make with their passing.
“But the match against Fulham was another game that he brought the other team back into the game.”
Costly errors, fragile control
Chelsea were cruising at 1-0 at Craven Cottage. The pattern suggested a comfortable night, maybe three or four goals. Then came what Merson called a “cheap goal”, and the mood flipped.
“All of a sudden the game has turned on its head really. It looked like Fulham were the team that were going to get the next goal,” he said.
Merson drew a sharp contrast with Arsenal’s David Raya.
“I've never known a team ever win anything without a top goalie. I'm sitting there now thinking when was the last time David Raya made a mistake?
“The Wolves game in February maybe? But once. In February.
“Sanchez makes one mistake a week nearly. And a goal may not come from it, he might kick the ball out for a throw-in.”
For Merson, the Fulham game summed up the problem.
“Against Fulham, Chelsea were dominating, he takes a great catch from a corner and he plays a terrible throw out to Cole Palmer. That happens week in, week out. And the ball could be intercepted, the ball goes back into the box and the opposition score out of nothing.”
Will Martinez change Chelsea’s ceiling?
Even with his admiration for Martinez, Merson does not believe the move alone would transform Chelsea into title contenders.
“I don't think Martinez takes Chelsea towards the title,” he said. “You look at Arsenal's squad and if you change a player, it hardly weakens the team. Every position is solid.
“If you look at Chelsea, they've got a lot of players in each position, but it weakens the team.”
For him, the target is clear and far more pragmatic.
“The name of the game for Chelsea is to make sure when this season finishes, they are playing Champions League football next season. It's as simple as that.
“They came 10th last season. And you've got to learn to walk before you can run.”
Whether Chelsea take that first step with Sanchez in goal or decide Martinez is the man to steady them will say plenty about how fast they think they can learn.
