Chelsea Target Emiliano Martínez Amid Goalkeeper Dilemma

Chelsea have been offered the chance to move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, with the World Cup winner’s representatives sounding out the club as his future at Villa Park hangs in the balance, a source has told ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

Villa, who have just brought in Japan international Zion Suzuki and view him as their long-term No. 1, are prepared to offload Martínez as they reshape both the age profile and the finances of Unai Emery’s squad.

A proposed switch to Juventus collapsed earlier in August, leaving Martínez in limbo. He was left out of the squad entirely for Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, underlining the sense that his time at the club is edging towards an end.

Chelsea weigh Sánchez call as Martínez looms

The timing is striking. Chelsea’s goalkeeping debate has flared up again after Robert Sánchez’s latest error in Monday’s chaotic 3-2 win over Fulham, when a weak effort from Josh King squirmed through him and reignited doubts over his reliability at the highest level.

Those concerns have pushed the club into active consideration over whether to move for Martínez before the transfer window shuts, a source confirmed. The offer on the table from the Argentine’s camp has sharpened that dilemma.

Chelsea had hoped the succession plan might already be in-house. Mike Penders, the 21-year-old Belgian who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, is viewed as a serious prospect and could make his first-team debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. The idea was simple: let Penders grow into a genuine challenger to Sánchez for the No. 1 shirt.

Now the equation looks different. The chance to sign a proven Premier League goalkeeper and an experienced international, one who has already carried Argentina to a World Cup in 2022 and helped them reach the final of this summer’s tournament before losing to Spain, is difficult for any title-chasing club to ignore.

Sánchez’s form has been a running issue at Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochettino dropped him as first choice in 2024, turning instead to the relatively untested Serbia international Djordje Petrovic. Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior also sidelined him at various points, reacting to dips in performance rather than treating him as an undisputed starter.

Villa’s financial squeeze

For Villa, Martínez represents both a high-profile asset and a route to easing financial pressure. He arrived from Arsenal in 2020 for £17 million ($23m) and has since become one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in world football.

The club are working to bring down the average age of the squad while also generating funds to stay on the right side of UEFA and Premier League financial regulations. Their need to sell has already been laid bare this summer: Morgan Rogers has joined Chelsea for £117 million ($159m), while Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also departed.

Letting Martínez go would fit that broader strategy, even if it means parting with a player who has been central to Villa’s recent rise.

Alonso stands firm on Enzo Fernández

While Chelsea weigh a major decision in goal, Xabi Alonso is trying to shut down noise around one of his key midfielders.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Chelsea manager said he expects Enzo Fernández to be involved against Luton despite persistent speculation over the Argentina international’s future and strong links to Manchester City. Chelsea value the 25-year-old at £120 million ($163m).

“Yes we expect that he's involved. He's training really well and he is a good professional,” Alonso told reporters.

Asked directly whether he wants Fernández to stay, Alonso replied: “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 move towards the final days of the window with one world champion potentially arriving, another still being courted, and a title challenge that may yet hinge on who stands between the posts when the pressure really bites.