Chelsea's Goalkeeper Dilemma: Emiliano Martínez on the Radar

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 uncertainty grows over Robert Sánchez’s position.

A source confirmed to ESPN’s Mark Ogden that Martínez has been put on Chelsea’s radar, with Villa prepared to move him on after bringing in Japan international Zion Suzuki, whom they view as their long-term No. 1.

Martínez’s proposed move to Juventus collapsed earlier in August, and his situation has deteriorated since. He was left out of the squad entirely for Villa’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, underlining how far the relationship has shifted.

Chelsea’s goalkeeper dilemma

At Stamford Bridge, the timing is striking.

Sánchez’s display in Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham has sharpened the debate around his future as first-choice. His error for Josh King’s tame effort, which slipped through him, dragged his performances back into the spotlight and raised the question the club have been trying to avoid: can they really mount a title challenge with this level of uncertainty in goal?

Chelsea are now weighing up whether to move for Martínez before the transfer window closes, a source confirmed, as the pressure around the position intensifies.

The plan, not long ago, looked different. Inside the club there had been optimism that 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, back from a loan spell at Strasbourg, could grow into a serious challenger for Sánchez. Penders is in line to make his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, and the hope was that time and minutes would gradually close the gap.

The chance to shortcut that process by signing a proven Premier League goalkeeper and an experienced international changes the equation. Martínez was central to Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 2022 and helped them reach the final of this summer’s tournament, where they finished runners-up to Spain. That kind of pedigree is hard to ignore for a club talking openly about competing at the very top again.

Sánchez, by contrast, has struggled to convince a succession of Chelsea managers. Mauricio Pochettino eventually dropped him as his No. 1 in 2024, turning instead to the relatively untested Serbia international Djordje Petrovic. Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have also sidelined Sánchez at various points in response to poor form. The pattern is becoming hard to dismiss.

Villa’s reset and Martínez’s price

At Villa, the decision to listen to offers for Martínez is part of a broader reset.

The Argentina international joined from Arsenal in 2020 for £17 million ($23m) and quickly became one of the league’s standout keepers. Now, with Suzuki arriving and the club aiming to lower the average age of the squad, Villa are open to cashing in.

Financial pressure is also a factor. Villa need to generate significant income from sales this summer to stay on the right side of UEFA and Premier League financial rules. Morgan Rogers has already gone to Chelsea for £117 million ($159m), while Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also departed as the club reshapes both its balance sheet and its dressing room.

Against that backdrop, Martínez’s profile and experience make him one of Villa’s most marketable assets. For Chelsea, he represents a solution that is as immediate as it is expensive.

Alonso stands firm on Enzo

While the goalkeeper situation simmers, Xabi Alonso moved to calm another storm on Wednesday.

The Chelsea manager insisted he expects Enzo Fernández to feature against Luton despite persistent speculation over the midfielder’s future. The Argentina international, valued by Chelsea at around £120 million ($163m), has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

“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 directly 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 also 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 star midfielder still in place, their playmaker cleared to return, and their goalkeeper under scrutiny again. The question now is simple: do they gamble on patience with Sánchez and Penders, or seize the chance to bring in a World Cup winner before the window slams shut?