Chelsea dey consider make dem sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for late move. His representatives don offer am to Chelsea, as current number one Robert Sanchez don face criticism after im error for Monday win against Fulham.
Martinez need new club because Villa don sign Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30m. Juventus bin want am but dem choose Guglielmo Vicario from Spurs instead.
Martinez don establish imsef as one of the best goalkeepers for world during im time for Villa. E don play 256 times since joining from Arsenal for 2020, win Europa League for May this year, and help team enter two Champions League campaigns under Unai Emery.
For Argentina, Martinez don be crucial. Im win World Cup for 2022, finish runner-up for 2026 edition, win two Copa America trophies for 2021 and 2024, plus Finalissima for 2022.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson talk say Martinez dey available and e can be hard work sometimes. But im be one of the best goalkeepers for world. If Chelsea want return to top, dem need top goalie. Merson also criticize Sanchez, say im dey make mistakes every week. E use David Raya as example, wey rarely make mistake.
Merson tok say im no think Martinez go carry Chelsea go title. But e say the main goal na to finish for Champions League places. Chelsea don come 10th last season, so dem need learn to walk before run.
The Athletic report say Martinez future at Villa Park uncertain after Juventus move no go through. Villa don sign Suzuki, and Marco Bizot start for opening game. Chelsea’s Mike Penders, 21-year-old, na bench for Craven Cottage. This be second summer wey Martinez dey push for exit. Last year, Man United bin make loan bid but dem reject am.
Martinez help Villa again last season, with fourth-place finish and Europa League success. Dem go return to Champions League. Argentina reach World Cup final, lose 1-0 to Spain. Martinez start all eight matches.
Analysis say this na long goodbye for Martinez. E don make clear im want leave. Villa decide to grant im wish and bring Suzuki. But Juventus deal break, so dem still dey together. Martinez don dey train alone for past week.
Chelsea correspondent say message from Stamford Bridge na say dem happy with goalkeeping options, but Sanchez errors don reignite debate. Dem get high belief for Penders, but e be 21 and just two seasons of professional football. Any upgrade must no block Penders pathway. Martinez at 33 fit tick those boxes, with experience and winning pedigree.
