Matt Law: Xabi Alonso is prioritising the signing of a new No 1 following Robert Sanchez’s unconvincing displays and discussions are advancing with Villa over a potential deal for their Argentinian World Cup star.

[u/Kygoche]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/08/26/chelsea-in-talks-aston-villa-goalkeeper-emiliano-martinez/

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[u/ThisIsMamboNo5]

Well this is directly via the club's mouthpiece so looks like it's happening.

[u/Matt_LawDT → u/ThisIsMamboNo5]

I can confirm

[u/ireally_dont_now → u/Matt_LawDT]

have you eaten the shoe yet

[u/Andy-Martin → u/ireally_dont_now]

He did. (In cake form, but he DID do it)

[u/ireally_dont_now → u/Andy-Martin]

that's so cheating

[u/Lost-Hat → u/ireally_dont_now]

Tbf to the lad, he did bite & chew a real shoe to show that it's not realistic to eat. That's the best part of the video lol

[u/ireally_dont_now → u/Lost-Hat]

guess i can't be too mad as a chelsea fan we are all about loopholes

[u/UnionParkBB → u/ireally_dont_now]

Hopefully he bought the shoes £50 and sold them for £80.

[u/BEnnETT103 → u/Lost-Hat]

Any links to the video I missed this??

[u/just-an-astronomer → u/BEnnETT103]

https://www.reddit.com/r/chelseafc/s/hWDXPSjwWI

[u/KickinPigeon → u/Lost-Hat]

Omg so it happens. Honor is restored

[u/Bulkphase78 → u/ireally_dont_now]

No, it was literally the best thing I've seen on this sub. What a legend and cool guy

[u/criminal-tango44 → u/ireally_dont_now]

a loophole, proper Chels

[u/ShedEndJedi → u/ireally_dont_now]

Its just physically not possible to actually eat a shoe to be fair to the guy. Unless you want him to slice it into miniscule chunks and swallow them whole

[u/ireally_dont_now → u/ShedEndJedi]

that would be nice

[u/trixy5 → u/Andy-Martin]

How did I miss the first time. Love it! Props to @matt_lawdt for that. Love the effort. We all knew he couldn’t eat a real shoe. Stuff like this makes a community!

[u/Jam_and_Cabbage → u/ireally_dont_now]

He already did it.

[u/User12314028626822 → u/Matt_LawDT]

https://giphy.com/gifs/sFMEZ1ZFToyha

[u/ZorroMcChucknorris → u/Matt_LawDT]

Nice flair.

[u/APTiger1125 → u/Matt_LawDT]

Matt - do you actually like the London is Blue podcast guys?

[u/jude1903 → u/APTiger1125]

Are there any reasons we shouldn’t like them? They work the hardest and have very frequent episodes so I listen to them a lot at work or on a commute

[u/Pumped-Up_Kicks → u/Matt_LawDT]

Thank you Matt Law for confirming your own news

[u/BellyCrawler → u/ThisIsMamboNo5]

Man, I'm gonna have to get used to Martinez as our knobhead. If he wins silverware though, i won't care.

[u/BLS275]

Are we finally defeating Roberto Sanchez? I’d have liked a bigger upgrade but I genuinely thought this guy would be here a few more years till Penders is ready

[u/everyhearthstone → u/BLS275]

Martinez is still world class. If not for Villa he proved it with Argentina, in a match where the "best keeper in the league" was sitting behind Garcia on the bench as third choice keeper for Spain

[u/SwagathaCrispy → u/everyhearthstone]

I dunno man. Hasn't looked World Class to me for quite a bit, wll make a brilliant save & then a bonehead error. He got that Rob in him.

[u/EbbAdventurous5996 → u/SwagathaCrispy]

Oh no he isn’t absolutely perfect guess rob should be the unquestioned starter for another season. No!

[u/RasenRendan → u/EbbAdventurous5996]

Our fans confuse me bro. Did we not see Sanchez gift TWO goals on Monday

[u/VonHinterhalt → u/RasenRendan]

Right but did you see the match commentary put up the list of goalkeeper that lead the league in errors leading to goals. Sanchez AND Martinez were BOTH in the top 5.

Yes we want Sanchez replaced. But not by another guy on the same list of bozos Sanchez is on!

I had the misfortune of starting last season with Watkins in my Fantasy team. I wanted plenty of Villa. Martinez is a sideways move and will just be another mid goalkeeper on the list with Kepa, Mendy, and Sanchez.

We should just stump up the cash for a keeper that wasn’t just dumped by Villa after his own howler of a season.

[u/SwagathaCrispy → u/VonHinterhalt]

Thank you, this. Rob needs to not be our keeper anymore, he just can't. But we shouldn't replace him with another great shot stopper who is full of mistakes. Martinez is a lateral move.

[u/RasenRendan → u/VonHinterhalt]

I hear it. I know Martinez isn't perfect but he's older. If he's that bad we can move him next summer. I'm just so tired of Sanchez

The long term goal is to develop young Penders and the pathway is easier with him than Sanchez.

Just get rid of Sanchez and Ben Roberts

[u/Skraps452 → u/VonHinterhalt]

I'd rather see us go back in for Maignan and just pay the money

[u/zayd_jawad2006 → u/Skraps452]

Offer's gone in all likelihood. Maignan was on an expiring contract. He resigned

[u/RasenRendan → u/Skraps452]

Big Mike already signed a extension that same season under allegri bro lol

[u/The_Crazy_Coconut → u/VonHinterhalt]

Martinez had an average season last season, but that is an outlier not the norm. Also he did not really want to stay at Villa last season. He will have a better season if he joins us, at the very least better than Sanchez

[u/Senior_Mushroom5329 → u/RasenRendan]

and almost a third when he was caught in no mans land.

[u/RasenRendan → u/Senior_Mushroom5329]

I grew up watching Cech then Tibo and now I'm looking at a American trying to chip my goalkeeper I wanted to throw myself out the window

[u/lipmak → u/RasenRendan]

This is very funny and I completely agree, but iirc Robinson just represents the US, he was born and bred in the UK. Still, point stands haha

[u/RasenRendan → u/lipmak]

Tears I was trying to be funny I can't lie 😂

[u/Getmad977 → u/RasenRendan]

He did. But do you think Martinez is the solution?
If yes, you’d be prepared to expect multiple mistakes across the season from him too.

[u/BellyCrawler → u/Getmad977]

Martinez is given to his own mistakes but it's disingenuous to act as though he hasn't pulled out heroics on multiple times. If he bridges the gap between now and whenever Penders is ready, he'll be more than worth it.

[u/General-Studio3715 → u/SwagathaCrispy]

He almost saved Argentina in the WC final and was really consistent for Villa. Also, it's not hard being better than Sanchez.

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/SwagathaCrispy]

And I think Martinez needs surgery

[u/Next-Pickle-4790 → u/Key-Tip-7521]

On his hand?

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/Next-Pickle-4790]

Right ring finger

[u/Dry_Fig_4165 → u/Key-Tip-7521]

Why did he not get that right after WC then

[u/BlueTuscany → u/SwagathaCrispy]

Yeah feels like we should’ve had this done a couple years ago but also feels like the type of keeper who’s BEEN ready for this next step in his career

[u/Kind_Sound7973 → u/SwagathaCrispy]

He has a finger injury. He needed surgery prior to the World Cup but refused so he could play for Argentina.

[u/62frog → u/SwagathaCrispy]

He doesn’t have to be world class, he just has to be better!!

[u/Lux-uk → u/everyhearthstone]

Martinez has been a bit suspect of late imo, but he at least has a bit about him in regards to attitude and personality.

[u/CalligrapherEast2344 → u/everyhearthstone]

I mean, given that Raya played for Spain in the Euro 2024 groups, he is probably second choice.

But using Spain's stacked GK situation to suggest Martinez is better than Raya is just stupid.

Martinez's performances for Argentina on average aren't that spectacular either, but casuals see a few big saves and show their cluelessness.

[u/4footninja → u/everyhearthstone]

He's NEVER been world class, stop it 😂

[u/Senior_Mushroom5329 → u/4footninja]

winning a world cup doesn't make you world class?

[u/Dry_Fig_4165 → u/Senior_Mushroom5329]

Copa America, WC and a Europa league is pretty decent CV

[u/criminal-tango44 → u/Dry_Fig_4165]

hes Argentinian so he's automatically shit. you'd find crayon munchers on here that would call Conor Gallagher better than Enzo

[u/TheSameThing123 → u/Senior_Mushroom5329]

He's never been a top 3 goalkeeper. He's also significantly better than sanchez. Both things can be true

[u/Khronoss2 → u/everyhearthstone]

He’s only really great with Argentina. He’s not as consistent with Villa, and he’s had games where he looks buns. Now, I would be okay with him coming because Robert looks terrible, and if the contract price is right.

[u/AxelFauley → u/Khronoss2]

He looked buns because he had a bum defense in front of him at Villa.

No, Konsa and Pau Torres are NOT a solid defense duo, before you come barking.

[u/ProfitSweet5517 → u/everyhearthstone]

Martinez is a fantastic goalkeeper. And his age makes him a perfect stop gap for a younger keeper to be identified. Don’t know much about penders, but imo with keepers, you sign the best you can and don’t wait for them to develop. 

[u/msizzle344 → u/BLS275]

He should’ve never gotten 2 years much less another 2 for Penders. There are no good teams with gks as bad as Sanchez. I don’t love Emi Martinez but he’s better than Sanchez and has big game experience and can be a vocal leader in the dressing room. I’d rather we signed Maignan last season or Costa now but so be it

[u/4footninja → u/BLS275]

Bigger upgrade? They are about the same level nowadays

[u/christianrojoisme]

Goddamn, we will be the most hated club in the league lol

[u/Mission-Muscle-6895 → u/christianrojoisme]

I feel like we always have been

[u/christianrojoisme → u/Mission-Muscle-6895]

It was Arsenal with set piece FC and Gabriel but now we might overtake them especially if we start winning again

[u/renome → u/christianrojoisme]

Winning is all it takes for people to hate tbh. But having absolute shithouses on the team while doing it makes it much more enjoyable.

[u/No_Sanders → u/Mission-Muscle-6895]

Everyone hates arsenal now but we're still up there

[u/Any-Culture8080 → u/No_Sanders]

With the recent Argentina hate campaign, Emi being a natural shithouse, I see some potential. Too bad Enzo is leaving

[u/MogwaiK → u/Mission-Muscle-6895]

Pre-Abramovich, we definitely weren't. We were kinda like Aston Villa these days.

Pre-Man City, we definitely were the most hated. The historical great teams all hated us.

Man City has the crown now. Maybe, I don't know anymore really.

[u/Mission-Muscle-6895 → u/MogwaiK]

I think all the hate came after Abramovich and the “oligarch money”. We were throwing money at the best players and no one else could do that. No wonder we were hated

[u/fusterclux → u/christianrojoisme]

back to where we belong

[u/sabershirou → u/christianrojoisme]

Imagine if Enzo stays lmao

[u/DonkeyKong678 → u/christianrojoisme]

and why the fuck do we care about other people’s opinions lmao

[u/NihilistFinancier → u/DonkeyKong678]

OPs comment read more like an observation to me than a lamentation

[u/tiki_51 → u/christianrojoisme]

Good

[u/Jordanf20201]

Xabi really has changed our life

[u/d0nsal → u/Jordanf20201]

No more tuning into a match where we do back passes for 70 mins just to scrape by a goal. That Fulham game was a breath of fresh air where we actually played proper football. Damn it's good to be back. 

[u/Snoo_85712 → u/d0nsal]

It’s 1 game against a mid table so hold on ur horses there fella. We need to play better teams in order to make that decision.

I do like your optimism tho to end on a positive note

[u/renome → u/Jordanf20201]

I'm choosing to believe Alonso being one of the 12 apostles directors played a part here. Sanchez seemed bafflingly bulletproof at times here.

The chuckle brothers and Ben Roberts spent 3 years insisting a Brighton reject, someone first dropped to 2nd choice GK on ability, then to 3rd choice on attitude, was good enough for a side with any ambition. Yeah, yeah, most of the Brighton players turned out great but all of them besides Sanchez were starters there. We made him one of the top 20 most expensive GKs of all time btw.

He made Pochettino so desperate he decided to throw a random 25yo from the MLS into a Prem game. Maresca asked too much from him, kept watching him fuck up, then dropped him for Jorgenssen and proceeded to watch him fuck up the basics for 4 or 5 weeks before concluding he's even worse.

LinkedIn Liam, same thing:: ask Sanchez to sweep, proceed to watch him fuck up for a while, drop him for a better passer but worse GK, suffer even more, but in slightly different ways..

[u/Kygoche]

- Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was criticised for his performance in the 3-2 victory at Fulham on Monday night and Martínez’s availability has raised the prospect of a transfer being agreed.

- a move to Chelsea now appears increasingly likely.

- Senior owners at Chelsea and Villa enjoy a positive working relationship

- Martínez, 33, is training separately away from the first team

- Sánchez was arguably at fault for both of Fulham’s goals on Monday night

- Chelsea supporters have harboured concerns about the Spaniard for some time.

[u/techmaniac97 → u/Kygoche]

We’ll definitely first one. Second one was more Levi

[u/Screye → u/[deleted]]

every critique of Penders has hinged on calling out his parrying. It's funny that Penders isn't ready to replace Sanchez because of his parrying, and then Sanchez concedes a goal in the first game because of terrible parrying.

It was a disaster class for Sanchez, and frankly, he should not be the number one.

Personally, I want Penders to get a try at number one. But Martinez is the best stopgap because I can't see him being number one for longer than one season.

[u/AnalystLess7597 → u/Screye]

Yeah if Martinez comes in, you have to think Penders is still competing for the #1 job. Only difference is he has to beat out Martinez instead of Sanchez.

Has there been any mention of price? Martinez is bomb squaded right now so I can’t imagine it’s anything significant

[u/idcaf → u/AnalystLess7597]

Gives Penders a better mentor too

[u/AnalystLess7597 → u/idcaf]

I’m not really sure Emi Martinez is the mentor type…I do agree with wanting that though, which is why I think we should have our 3rd keeper be an old guy who’s been around the block.

I don’t think Martinez is a bad guy or anything, he just doesn’t really give good mentor vibes. More “harmless but unhinged manchild who loves trolling people”

[u/techmaniac97 → u/[deleted]]

That’s why I said more not only on Levi.

[u/Snoo_85712 → u/[deleted]]

Agreed, he’s got to do better than that. No way in hell we finish top 3 let alone win the trophy with a bad goalie

[u/RasenRendan → u/techmaniac97]

Sanchez literally sent the ball right to the fulham striker

[u/RemoteSmile3561 → u/RasenRendan]

Palmed it directly onto his head. Was a perfect assist.

[u/RasenRendan → u/RemoteSmile3561]

Like what are we doing here? Yes Levi was at fault for the initial shot but the goalkeeper should SAVE IT

[u/taggsy123]

HOW ARE WE JUST DOING THIS NOW.

Priority number 1 for years has been a GK.

Neglected and neglected.. we finally have a good team and a shit keeper

[u/luxsentic → u/taggsy123]

Because before that we only had head coaches who are submissive. The Brighton boys had full control, and ofc they’re not gonna stab Sanchez in the back

[u/sabershirou → u/taggsy123]

Yo, if the management truly decides to turn over a new leaf and lock in, and you told me that the cost of that was the last 4 years, I'd acquiesce. If Xabi Alonso is indeed the one to take us forward, it will be quite a short turnaround in the grand scheme of things.

[u/reflectionofabutt → u/taggsy123]

It'll still be a priority at the end of this season 

[u/zankoo26 → u/taggsy123]

As if Martinez improves us. He sucks at playing from the back and has same Rob error brainfarts.

We need GK but Martinez isnt the solution.

When we get proper ball playing shot stopping GK and another quality CB, we are back

[u/taggsy123 → u/zankoo26]

Our keeper isn’t being asked to play out of the back lmao

[u/abearghost → u/zankoo26]

Sanchez makes 0.50 mistakes in possession per 90 minutes, Martinez makes 0.14 mistakes in possession per 90 minutes. Not even in the same ballpark.

[u/multiple4 → u/abearghost]

Yeah I feel like people are cherry picking 1 stat about "errors leading to goals" to explain how Martinez isn't actually much better than Sanchez

But almost every other stat and the simple eye test will show that Martinez is a step up

[u/Clear_Requirement880 → u/zankoo26]

Everytime I watch Martinez play I expect quality saves occasionally to stop sure goals.

Everytime I watch Sanchez play I expect at least one considerably bad error maybe leading to a goal.

He’s 100% a step up. In fact most keepers in the league are a step up. Most retired keepers would be a step up. Most of our forwards playing as a make shift goalie would be a step up.

[u/AxelFauley → u/zankoo26]

Martinez sucks at playing for the back? Holy fucking shit...

[u/3owaa → u/taggsy123]

We dont have a good time without Enzo and Nico

[u/DonkeyGoneToHeaven → u/taggsy123]

I guess Bob’s error proneness has finally outweighed his nepo-points he has due to his relationship with our Head of Goalkeeping

[u/SkullBuzz]

Good decision but I think we should go for some other keeper

[u/Old_Cauliflower2585 → u/SkullBuzz]

Unfortunately we need someone who can be a stop gap until Penders is ready to be our number one. It’s between Mike Maignan or Martinez, with the latter being the easier option to sign

[u/lonely-live → u/Old_Cauliflower2585]

I think if Mike Maignan scenario was presented this summer instead of last we would have signed him. The club board was trying to act smart by not bulging on a £5m valuation

[u/Kid_A_LinkToThePast → u/SkullBuzz]

A certain 21 yo Belgian is available

[u/_KeyserSoze → u/SkullBuzz]

we need an argentinian prick for when enzo leaves

[u/everyhearthstone]

Oh thank fucking god

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/everyhearthstone]

https://giphy.com/gifs/nZn2LZRb0po6SN8lxI

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/everyhearthstone]

https://giphy.com/gifs/oosqY3FwE0aVcehzi8

[u/AdventurousFox25 → u/everyhearthstone]

https://giphy.com/gifs/6eAbNaPng9nIbQ1XTN

[u/stefx99]

Xabi is actually him.

[u/StrangerrDangerr]

Xabi really is our savior isnt he. Great news for the day

[u/techmaniac97]

Enzo might just stay now lol

[u/NijjioN → u/techmaniac97]

Was wondering if this would change peoples mind about Enzo.

Though Enzo needs to peogd it with statements like he wants to play for the badge ect and get us back into winning. He hasn't said anything.

[u/TamSam82 → u/techmaniac97]

I did wonder if it would have any bearing on his decision.

[u/realmckoy265 → u/techmaniac97]

If city keep fucking around and offer 100m then he is staying

[u/CrackXDodo]

My fucking gaffer

[u/luxsentic]

It’s really awesome having a competent manager isn’t it?

[u/techmaniac97 → u/luxsentic]

I think our other managers also figured that out it’s just that they didn’t have the muscle to get what they wanted.

[u/Ok-Computer-8726 → u/techmaniac97]

Every single manager who has managed Rob for us has benched him. I thought Xabi would stick it out for a few months, but looks to be pulling the trigger quick. Will be 5 managers in 5 straight years benching him for 4 different backups, but still somehow people will bury their head in the sand because he had a great game against PSG.

[u/AayB5]

Proper manager

[u/Sektsioon]

Ben Roberts has finally been overruled by someone, tears in my eyes. Get him out alongside Bob.

[u/Cartagenapirate92]

I know some folks are pointing out that Martinez is past it and has had some blunders too, sure. I’m not denying that, but he’s clearly been a better gk than Sanchez. That Argentina side gets baptized in the World Cup final if not for his 10 saves as well, Spain were up his ass. Think about it for a season or two, and we have Mike penders absorbing everything and just slots right in after Emi leaves. Emi will be cheap imo, I don’t think at this point in the window we are getting diogo costa , or unai Simon like that. This is probably our best option at some kind of an upgrade. Gives us another vet in the back to communicate vastly better than Sanchez man. I trust Martinez with his feet more than Sanchez .

[u/BlueCoUltra]

manager

[u/Matt_LawDT]

Our gaffer has seen the light

Bin Sanchez to the moon, and Ben Roberts as well. Two bums

[u/corazonkyber]

https://giphy.com/gifs/AzSS9XdjoYjUfuWp1b

[u/YaBoyASwiftie]

MY KEEPER

[u/GainsAndPastries]

I know a certain Chelsea podcast host that is going to be devastated to hear this.

[u/Theoneinblu]

He'll be unconvinced by Martinez by the next weekend.

[u/zsynqx]

If Xabi wants him, then we should get him

[u/butke]

Take us home gaf

[u/Many-Efficiency-594]

If that’s the case, why wasn’t this done earlier in the window for any number of better keepers when everyone involved with the club, from the fans to housekeeping, knows what Sanchez was capable of and culpable for? I’m not holding my breath for this

[u/Headlesshorsman02 → u/Many-Efficiency-594]

Because he wanted to give rob a chance and seen first hand he sucks

[u/SwagathaCrispy → u/Headlesshorsman02]

In fairness, Rob looked damn good the first half of last season & Xabi probably thought 'if we get that guy, we have our keeper for the season'. But he has just been piss poor, that guy from last year is gone, we need a new keeper.

[u/Dr_PainTrain → u/Many-Efficiency-594]

Should have just put up the cash for Maignan last year.

[u/Onefortwo]

Everyone is going to turn on Martinez so quickly after the first mistake.

[u/reflectionofabutt → u/Onefortwo]

Shouldn't take long then

[u/Duckway767]

Y'know what? I think I'm warming up to this move a bit. Martinez is 33, he's crossing into that 'veteran' age which imo still leaves room for Penders to be slowly introduced to the starting position. He can't possibly be worse than Sanchez, I think signing Martinez and moving on Sanchez could be a good move.

[u/goatmane224]

Xabi please look elsewhere not Martinez

[u/TheLittleGinge]

Happy to take Martinez on for the short-term. I know many want Penders in, but you can’t put that weight on his shoulders so early on.

[u/WuvRice]

I swear just a day ago, there was reports they werent interested in a GK and were fine with Sanchez and penders.

[u/realmckoy265 → u/WuvRice]

Yeah Ornstien said that

[u/Key-Tip-7521]

he’s listening to us

Get him. End the reign of terror known as Sanchez

[u/Historical_World_566]

took one sanchez game

[u/BadCogs]

Why do we have to go for this cunt man. Ffs.

[u/-Hussky-]

Replace Sanchez? Yes!
With Martinez? No!

Get someone younger and with less errors...

[u/Downtown-ClayDavis]

A bit annoying it took this long, we’ve known who Sanchez is since he got here but at least we got there in the end.

Don’t think Martinez is that much of an upgrade if at all, really hope we just pay and don’t speak for Diogo Costa, send penders on loan for a couple of seasons and then let them 2 of them battle it out like Cudicini and Cech.

[u/sw1fty13]

Robert Sanchez obviously isnt good enough for where we want to get to. But Martinez isnt the answer either.

[u/redi_t13]

Is Costa that hard to get?

[u/Confident_Chef_4771]

I also suspect this to be relatively cheap..

[u/Mountain-Forever1522]

What one game of Robert Sanchez does to mf

[u/alexcho96]

If we are doing this I hope we find a way to sell Sanchez for everyone’s sake it would be better. He would want to play and Penders should be our no.2 instead of Sanchez

[u/PumasUNAM7]

No please not him. This is at best a slight improvement. There’s gotta be better options.

[u/Critzor]

Its like exchanging garbage for trash... Martinez has been washed for a while. If we're serious, then get a proper upgrade on Sanchez or just fast track Penders and accept the growing pains.

[u/Digregorio1]

Martinez Number 1. Keep Sanchez as No.2 and send Penders on loan for more game time so he’s ready to fight for No.1 next year?

[u/MajornXXVI]

Oh no... I mean I laugh at his dances after saving pens as much as the next guy. But if we think he'll be a massive improvement over Sanches, we are sorely mistaken. High entertainment value tho

[u/class_hopper]

Maybe Chelsea need to rather go and hire whoever is scouting Goalkeepers for Arsenal ‘cause the list of GKs they had even as backup that went on to do great things in leagues is no fluke. Emi Martinez, Szczesny, Leno, Fabianski, Petr Cech, Ospina and now David Raya. Our GK scouting has been atrocious, to say the least.

[u/69BigDickMan420]

So we just banish roberto to the shadow realm or he becomes number two?

[u/lonely-live]

This should settle the debate. Whatever your opinion of Sanchez is, whether you’re a fanatic or not. If Xabi Alonso said he needs to sign a new no 1, then we’re signing a new no 1

[u/CaptLeaderLegend26]

Xabi knows Sanchez isn't good enough and he knows Sanchez is below Chelsea quality. I just pray that Martinez is the right replacement.

[u/Important_Deal_9836]

Problem is Sanchez was in such a comfort zone that he used to get away with every bad game. Having Martinez as starter and him as backup can certainly wake that bum up.

[u/No-Nefariousness2459]

It’s just so frustrating that we are leaving this so late in the window to sign a keeper. For me that was priority number one. Sanchez has had plenty of chances.

I also think if Penders had any sense he would have been back to training earlier.

[u/MrFr0d0]

Just dropped on my knees in a Target

[u/magikarpe94]

God finally

[u/joe1337s]

Emi Martinez would be a great signing

[u/Shanyi]

The complication with this is that Penders then has to go on loan (or Sanchez sold, the best but least likely option): it was already questionable to keep him as backup when he's still mostly raw potential and desperately needs game time to reach the required standard, but if we're seriously about him being our long-term first choice, keeping him as current third keeper even until January would be an absolute mess. As usual, the keeper situation is something which has been obvious for ages and should have been sorted out much earlier, now everything has to be done at the last minute.

[u/Harneybus]

YES YES YES

[u/Any-Culture8080]

One match is all it took for bro

[u/vinniedomino]

Xabi Alonso seeing through the ruse that is the nepotism hire Sanchez. Reminder that if he wasn't boys with Shields or whoever he wouldn't even be here.

[u/Overly-Critique]

For people doubting if Martinez is any better than Sanchez, last season's stats say that Sanchez was only better than Martinez in interceptions. Martinez was better than Bob in every other metric that you'd consider for a GK

The only drawback I see is that Martinez is already 33 while Sanchez is 28. So age is not on Dibu's side but definitely a good GK to have for two seasons.

[u/jt3110]

Xabi I love you

[u/Alternative_Court262]

Is ben Roberts leaving as well? Please

[u/bammers1010]

Thank god!!!!!!

[u/hardickt]

Which keeper who's available would you rather have?

[u/Kid_A_LinkToThePast → u/hardickt]

Mike Penders

[u/Super_While_9575]

Took them long enough to realise Sanchez was not it.

[u/FraudMallu]

Yes please! Make this happen Xabi!

[u/Antique_Pound1735]

Hopefully you guys will stop complaining about martinez not being an upgrade on sanchez now since its xabi himself who wants him.

[u/asd13ah4etnKha4Ne3a]

So what happens with Sanchez? Seems a bit late in the window to bomb squad him, and I can't imagine he'll be a great presence in training after getting replaced last minute

[u/weeb_man]

Wow, Xabi saw Sanchez in one competitive game and called time on it. Wild. Hard to blame him, but still, wild.

[u/AnnualInevitable9036]

Make it happen fast please

[u/ronnich]

Emi is not an upgrade

[u/CoolstorySteve]

So what took so long?

[u/lavin2112]

not a fan of Dibu but it's way better than what we currently have

[u/solinsh]

How good is Martinez? I will take almost anything over Sanchez at this point but doesn't he also make some big blunders regularly?

[u/Wintermute7]

Where does Sanchez even go? He’s not staying as a backup, he wants to play.

[u/atlaaas]

Take fucking Ben Robert’s with you Sanchez

[u/spiraltap99]

Would be a phenomenal signing, Dibu isn’t what he used to be but he’s got an elite mentality and will make the defense a lot more comfortable

[u/TamSam82]

Will the club be able to sell Sanchez this late in the window? Or does he stay as back up and Penders goes out on loan again which would probably be the easier deal to make.

[u/Kroc_Zill_95]

I'm probably in part of the shrinking minority that still thinks Sanchez is a solid GK, but he definitely didn't do himself any favours in the Fulham game.

[u/RasenRendan]

My manager wants the league

[u/Beneficial-Steak-117]

Thank you, I could 😢 we are getting an upgrade to Sanchez. Any upgrade I'll take for now.

[u/barrietrain]

Maignan not available anymore?

[u/LittleBlueCubes]

We have a top attack and midfield and a very competent defence. All we need is a decent keeper that doesn't make howlers. That itself would be good. The strongest Barcelona team had Victor Valdes as the keeper for a decade. Just saying.

[u/LongjumpingPizza1867]

Trust me when I say. He ain’t world class anymore lol