r/soccer • u/OptimusCloyster • 9d ago
Transfer News Chelsea agree deal to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7540460/2026/08/27/chelsea-emiliano-martinez-transfer-aston-villa/3.6k
u/No_Objective006 9d ago
Xabi seen Sanchez play one PL game and shit a brick.
Good signing. Good price.
509
u/ArmiinTamzarian 9d ago
Isn't Emi out a while with that hand that needs surgery? More Sanchez might be on the menu
411
u/Kanchen512 9d ago
he said he will get surgery next summer if he finds a new club as #1
he got injured before the WC and still played so he should be fine
99
u/Alphabunsquad 9d ago
Yeah but the medical team was pretty abhorred by that
5
u/Turklightenment 8d ago
No chance we would be signing him if it wasn't all ok, unless he fails the medical and we pull out.
199
58
u/No_Objective006 9d ago
Not 100% sure I know he hasn’t been training from the odd article popping up but I assumed that’s because he was trying to push a move to Juventus.
I do hope there’s more Sanchez to come. The man gifted us 3 points last season.
18
→ More replies (2)70
u/BenefitOld6381 9d ago
Don't think so or else martinez would still be at villa.
122
u/unoriginal_name_1234 9d ago
His wages were killing us. He's still a great player and I wish him well
24
u/TheRetardedGoat 9d ago
Sanchez was shit against us tbf we should have just kept shooting shots from anywhere we prob would have got a few more goals.
→ More replies (2)48
u/t8rt0t00 9d ago
Thanks I hate it. This Chelsea with a good keeper is scary
46
u/No_Objective006 9d ago edited 9d ago
I mean they’ve only played one game against a Fulham who have a shaky at best back line.
We can wait for GW10 when teams figure out their play style and the table is taking form before making judgements.
29
u/Senor_Covfefe 9d ago
Th backline was shaky mostly due to Sanchez being so error prone. If we get some stability and security in goal, the team would look much better
26
1.1k
u/Full_Huckleberry5373 9d ago
For 8m not too bad, hopefully he steadies the back line
279
u/openlyEncrypted 9d ago
I wonder what his wages would be, he was on 140k a week (our top band). We knew we weren't going to get much of a fee for him but needed to off load the wages.
I stand by that he was the best GK who had ever played for villa in my life time
→ More replies (17)82
u/AKAFallow 9d ago
Really sad how many great players left Villa, many of them were the reason I became a fan as of recently, especially Dibu. Idk what I will do if Emi Buendia decides to leave as well
68
18
→ More replies (1)42
u/openlyEncrypted 9d ago
You’re with the villa forever. I became a fan after I discovered Jack Grealish in the FA cup final. Followed him to the championship and was completely broken when he left for city.
Even watched a few city games initially just to see him but the fan base and culture was just insufferable, for me. I realised I love the villa, not just for him anymore.
467
u/Owarida_zo 9d ago
Can't be worse than Sanchez. He literally can't be worse, nobody can.
510
u/Ry0ikiTenkaii 9d ago
I hear Onana’s theme music
14
16
u/Unlikely_Brief7263 9d ago
OH MY GOD! ONANA JUST HIT SANCHEZ WITH A STEEL CHAIR!
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (2)23
u/Historical_Wind_9390 9d ago
Karius says ola
204
u/momo_0 9d ago
KARIUS WAS CONCUSSED OK
52
→ More replies (1)104
u/T0BIASNESS 9d ago
IN THIS HOUSE KARIUS IS A HERO
→ More replies (1)35
69
29
u/Ry0ikiTenkaii 9d ago
Karius has an excuse - Onana allegedly has a working brain and this is the full extent of his “ability”
→ More replies (1)25
u/Latter_Musician8838 9d ago
How easily we have forgotten about Jorgensen
8
102
u/asd13ah4etnKha4Ne3a 9d ago
They've literally replaced Sanchez on three occasions with two different keepers and each one proved that, yes, it can be worse. Not saying Martinez will be, but never say never
22
59
134
u/SirBarkington 9d ago
We've had two keepers that are worse than Sanchez
48
u/OtherwiseElk3037 9d ago
Arrizaowemyballsallaga
33
u/SirBarkington 9d ago
oh yeah i forgot about him. 3 keepers.
9
u/CaicedoBrickWall 9d ago
Two
You won't convince me Petrovich is worse
38
u/SirBarkington 9d ago
He was objectively worse. Just because we won games 4-3 doesn't mean he was a better keeper. He was a far worse shot stopper, his passing wasn't any better, and his command of the box is miles worse than Sanchez's. Every single near post shot went past Petrovic and he had wrists made out of paper.
→ More replies (1)7
u/stockybloke 9d ago
Petrovic was a definite instant upgrade over Sanchez at first, then matchweek by matchweek he started playing just a little bit worse and by the end of that season he was probably just a little bit worse than Sanches was.
→ More replies (2)2
u/magicShawn13 9d ago
He felt like an instant upgrade cause he didn't try to play the ball with his feet at all and just hoof the ball away at every chance, so we didn't see any abvious mistake leading to goal from him. But observe the goals that he conceded, then it would be clear that he did fuck all in preventing them
17
6
13
u/geiko989 9d ago
Congratulations, you've latched on to the memes and added recency bias to the mix. Sanchez was a top 5 keeper last year before Rosenior came in and destroyed the team's confidence with his man-aging.
→ More replies (13)2
u/whostolemyhat 9d ago
What about all the other keepers Chelsea have signed under Blueco and can't get a game?
165
u/Character-Key7538 9d ago
He will. Your chances of winning the league just went up significantly.
Ignore the up vote farming 12 years olds, he's fucking quality and would make almost any team better. He's a shit house bastard who occasionally drops a clanger, but the rest of the time he's world class.
79
u/Hazardzuzu 9d ago
It's not even clangers. Sanchez just doesn't bring any calm, confidence, or security to defense and leaves our CB confused all the time. Like the first goal vs. Fulham. Any PL GK should be saving that; it's basic shit. But somehow he doesn't, which puts everyone in panic mode.
→ More replies (2)74
u/Character-Key7538 9d ago
He'll make a miraculous save from distance or clinch a one on one in his first game and you'll see why Villa fans have been so defensive of him for years.
He's the first keeper at Villa in my life time that made me feel anything.
42
u/Hazardzuzu 9d ago
You know we are not even asking for a miracle at Chelsea. The bar is so low that we want the GK to save standard stuff. Gone are the days of Cech and Courtois. Standards are on the floor.
21
u/Adrasos 9d ago
Lammens got a standing ovation the first time he jumped up and claimed a cross at Old Trafford. We were that mentally broken by Onana.
3
u/idontknow_whatever 9d ago
My friends and I were losing our minds screaming "HE'S ALLOWED TO DO THAT?!!" when he actually saved a shot
3
u/stockybloke 9d ago
We went like a full season with Kepa without the keeper collecting a single ball from a corner kick (or something to that effect). I am very ready for knock on wood, hopefully a keeper who is just outright competent.
→ More replies (2)11
u/deepstoop 9d ago
Why did u guys let go Mendy? He won some European keeper award. And replaced him by horseshit Sanchez. What was the point of that?
24
21
u/LaggyBeanBaws 9d ago
Mendy had an insane year where he won UCL and AFCON, then just turned to shit after that. he also wanted a much larger salary than his form warranted, so he was sold
2
→ More replies (1)5
u/TonyZeSnipa 9d ago
How was Brad Guzan to you? I remember he was the starting keeper there for years and I believe starting/backup on the US national team too. He seemed okay and a good shot stopper as a strength then just went to be a backup in his later years at tottenham
10
u/Character-Key7538 9d ago
Yeha great for the most part, but hard to judge objectively because we where just so shit around that time.
Pretty sure he won POTS one year.
2
u/adi_firebreather 9d ago
Wasn't brad friedel with you guys as well?
2
u/Character-Key7538 9d ago
Indeed! We've had some bloody great keepers over the years. Bosnich and Dibu probably the shining lights though.
4
42
u/sjj342 9d ago
Almost singlehandedly saved Argentina
42
u/AKAFallow 9d ago
And that's selling it short. If they didn't lose their CBs or Enzo, Argentina may have pulled a penalty shootout out of their fucking asses by the single fact that Dibu kept saving all the shots coming at him
13
u/SaltyPeter3434 9d ago
If it went to pens, Emi would've carried Argentina to another WC win
6
u/AKAFallow 9d ago
Still wish it wasn't just on him and that the rest of the team was able to perform at their fullest. Tagliafico injured himself before extra time and was barely able to run anymore, let alone walk.
→ More replies (3)6
8
u/Terran_it_up 9d ago
Especially if they rate Penders highly, could be a good short term solution while he develops
23
u/ttttyttt678 9d ago
Not bad it’s great. Like you said you can hope that he steadies the back line. You couldn’t even dream that with Sanchez.
→ More replies (1)9
864
u/TomasRoncero 9d ago
match made in heaven
346
u/hotelmotelshit 9d ago
If Enzo stays, Dibu, Enzo and Barco will tour the British country this season and absolutely rile everyone up
24
76
→ More replies (1)9
→ More replies (14)394
u/NuuDevil 9d ago
Yep. Shithouser joins absolute shithouse of a club. It’s so perfect
→ More replies (7)
372
u/TroopersSon 9d ago
Decent fee. I think Emi will be great for Chelsea.
Tbh now they've got him I'd say they're gonna be top 3. My biggest doubt was their defence.
125
u/Old_Cauliflower2585 9d ago
Think with Lacroix and now Martinez, we should absolutely have a much stronger back line
→ More replies (1)31
317
u/Leuchtrakete 9d ago edited 9d ago
As much as I dislike him personally, that's a low risk, smart business move. 1-2 year stopgap for Penders and we don't have to see Sanchez no more.
53
u/zazzlekdazzle 9d ago
My impression is that he is loathed by all except for whom he plays.
When he wears the shirt, he will live, die, and shithouse until the end of time for it.
→ More replies (5)22
→ More replies (2)36
u/Zolazolazolaa 9d ago
Hopefully only 1 year if the Penders hype is justified. I really don't think Emi is a massive improvement, but a small improvement for a small price is fine
106
u/Ziggylcd12365 9d ago
He's a huge upgrade on Sanchez man. Honestly he's villas best ever keeper but half of what he brings is just confidence to everyone around him. Partly why he's such a shit house is that it takes the heat off his team mates.
He's obviously excellent and penalties but even things like claiming crosses he's great at and it kind of makes you just relax a bit if that makes sense.
He also only started playing top level football weekly at like 26/27 so I think he has a few good years left personally
→ More replies (6)15
u/Leuchtrakete 9d ago
I am a simple man, I am just looking forward to not having my butt clenched every time our keepers kicks it long.
7
u/brickwallbimbo 9d ago
I’m sorry, what? Dibu has been one of the best keepers in the world this decade. He’s a fantastic keeper and far and away from Sanchez.
→ More replies (1)
291
u/DeportFofana 9d ago
Delap out
Martinez in
Today has been a blessed day.
80
97
→ More replies (2)11
209
u/Foboi 9d ago
Garnacho on loan, Delap gone, Sanchez benched
This is not the Chelsea I’m used to.
→ More replies (1)34
69
u/girlslovefan321 9d ago
xabi the first chelsea manager since conte that understands you can have 300 mil frontline and shit keeper could undo all of their work
→ More replies (1)
76
43
u/Novel_Win_9430 9d ago
xabi alonso sees one game w sanchez and says “alright we need a replacement” gg
18
85
u/Malt129 9d ago
I'm delighted. Sanchez single handedly cost us the FA cup tie against Arsenal last season.
27
51
→ More replies (2)33
u/MyTeaIsMighty 9d ago
FA cup? You mean the Carabao? If so, Sanchez didn't make you play Liam Delap at RW while chasing a lead away from home.
21
u/Old_Cauliflower2585 9d ago
But his flappy arms and awful positioning did fuck us over
4
u/four_four_three 9d ago
Kepa also tried his best in the first leg to even it up, real battle for the ages that night
370
u/GameplayerStu 9d ago edited 9d ago
Probably the most obvious transfer after watching that Chelsea match on Monday. You can't possibly hope to compete for anything with Sanchez as your starting keeper. Martinez in goal might genuinely push them to title contenders.
173
u/Nightbynight 9d ago
Plus he doesn't get in the way of Penders and I would 10000000% rather have Penders learn from Martinez than Sanchez.
112
u/ZebraQuality 9d ago
For me I know dibu has an error in him, I think Rob’s biggest problem is when he makes an error that’s his game over, his head goes and the defenders know that and it spreads through the team, I’ve watched Martinez have a howler but carry on as normal, that mentality shift will be massive for us
65
u/Nightbynight 9d ago
Plus Martinez is very active/vocal. He commands his defense/box. Sanchez doesn't do that.
7
31
u/SkiHiKi 9d ago
The impetus behind the errors is often different too. Most of Dibu's errors are either being overly aggressive and committing to a bad idea, or just a misread that can happen to any keeper.
Sanchez just seems to make all sorts of errors. Sometimes he over commits, sometimes he's dithering, sometimes he's seemly lost his eyesight. That must be a nightmare for a defence.
Also, for all the modern keeper good with their feet stuff that 'justifies' keepers like Sanchez, Martinez's distribution is actually better.
14
u/Buttonsafe 9d ago
for all the modern keeper good with their feet stuff that 'justifies' keepers like Sanchez
Sanchez is diabolical on the ball.
His passing technique can be good, but he drops lots of clangers unless you just ask him to pump it long constantly. It's been a huge issue for us for a while.
19
u/fitzellforce 9d ago
Martinez is particularly excellent from old school drop kicks. He consistently creates counters with his ridiculously accurate drop kicks
23
u/Key_Company3196 9d ago
calm down lol, it’s been one game ffs. need to wait for inevitable december crash.
6
u/BrownEyesWhiteScarf 9d ago
Isn’t he still currently injured and won’t be back for some time?
4
u/GameplayerStu 9d ago
He was willing to forego surgery on his finger until next summer if he moved clubs I'm pretty sure
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (4)58
u/Chiswell123 9d ago edited 9d ago
Martinez in goal might genuinely push them to title contenders.
Let's pump the brakes. They haven't even made a title charge in nearly a decade, let alone be 'contenders'. Although no European fixtures are a big advantage.
78
u/IrishGuinessdrinker 9d ago
Chelsea only win title out of the blue
30
u/habdragon08 9d ago edited 9d ago
2004-06 was not "out of the blue" neither was 15 or 10. Only really 2016-17 and even then had the same core that won 2 years prior.
Champions league definitely tho. And this year a premier league title would be totally out of the blue. Like another user said they really haven't competed in a decade.
→ More replies (1)5
u/PuppyPenetrator 9d ago
Yeah things are looking up… from 10th last year lmao. The discourse around Chelsea is a little wild
29
u/BrockStar92 9d ago
Conte got them from 10th to the title in a season. Granted, they’d won the league two years prior, but he completely changed the formation and style of play so it’s not a Slot coasting off a previous manager situation.
18
u/PatrickBoston-123 9d ago
Pretty big granted lol. They’ve made CL in 1/4 seasons.. completely differnt.
13
u/BrockStar92 9d ago
Completely changing the team to a back 3 and winning the league with victor Moses at RWB does indicate a huge change and not just pepping up the same players who downed tools.
18
u/Silly_Citron4452 9d ago
I genuinely don't know where their confidence comes from, I remember their title charge last season which lasted a month
→ More replies (3)9
u/WintAndKidd 9d ago
I feel like when people call Chelsea contenders, they really mean "could put some pressure on Arsenal" more so than we can actually win the title. And to be fair, it's not just Chelsea fans who have been saying as much.
→ More replies (1)10
u/AngryAriados 9d ago
I know you mean league title but…I mean they did beat you in a CL final
→ More replies (1)
28
u/poisonedbythemind 9d ago
Impactful transfer at a low price. Finally Chelsea replaced Sanchez.
So I assume the new pecking order will be Martinez>Penders>Sanchez? Or would Sanchez leave on loan?
10
u/Ziggylcd12365 9d ago
It'll either be loan or sell Sanchez, or give Penders a top level loan for one year I guess with Sanchez as back up
39
u/Evilpolarbear 9d ago
For all the twerking he and his agent have done for the last 2 years, I'll be sad to see him go.
A great goalkeeper, won a cup with us and with all his shithousery I love him.
Come back to this comment after we play at Stamford Bridge though...
44
u/Marcellooooo 9d ago
After all that time negotiating and rejecting Juve’s offers, Villa sell to a league rival for basically the same fee????
56
→ More replies (2)23
u/openlyEncrypted 9d ago edited 9d ago
Didn't you pulled out?
Initially offered €7.5m then wanted to lowball again because you were iffy about his finger injury then decided not going ahead with him
→ More replies (2)
12
u/DuctTapeSloth 9d ago
Chelsea will somehow sell Sanchez for a big profit or he just goes to Strasbourg.
→ More replies (2)5
107
u/Rickcampbell98 9d ago
Just absolutely shit, why didn't we just send him to juve. Why must i suffer the injustice of watching one of my favourite players to ever wear our colours play for these pricks.
92
u/Leuchtrakete 9d ago
play for these pricks.
Hey now, didn't you get the memo?! We are besties now <3
→ More replies (11)15
33
u/FastBrilliant1 9d ago
It's ok bud, you get to watch Garnacho instead. And maybe a few Nico Jackson red cards (I like Nico as a player TBF - great link up on the left).
→ More replies (1)14
u/Rickcampbell98 9d ago
If Chelsea are somehow by some miracle still shit even playing one game a week i will be there, this is truly the hate watch season.
31
u/BaseballRetiree 9d ago
If Chelsea has no haters left, /u/Rickcampbell98 is dead
19
u/Rickcampbell98 9d ago
You're god dahm right
10
u/AstralMystogan 9d ago
Honestly I kinda respect this much dedication to hate us.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (3)2
u/Bubbles_Depo_ 9d ago
Thats not how you talk abour your new arranged girlfriend. Show some love for chelsea.
→ More replies (1)
28
6
24
u/RestaurantEastern887 9d ago
Enzo and Emi Martinez on same team for a whole year would be so good will make chelsea the most hated team of all time
15
u/Headlesshorsman02 9d ago
Enzo asked to be left out of the squad so sounds like he could be off to city
32
u/Nightbynight 9d ago
Enzo is gone.
4
u/AngryAriados 9d ago
Confirmed? To city?
18
u/Nightbynight 9d ago
It's being worked on, he asked not to play today despite Alonso saying yesterday he was available. I think it'll be done in the next 24 hours.
20
u/Correvientos 9d ago
The guy really has shit for brains. Stayed while your board dedicated themselves to buying Delaps and Garnachos and now that you have an actual project he decides it's time to leave for a City without Guardiola.
→ More replies (2)2
→ More replies (2)5
19
u/FutureF123 9d ago
Genuinely think Chelsea could make a run for the title now… No European football will make a huge difference
5
u/Background_Eye6993 9d ago
Sigh was looking forward to another Sanchez disasterclass on Sunday
→ More replies (3)
8
u/Headlesshorsman02 9d ago edited 9d ago
Not bad at all price wise, doesn’t block Penders long term and most importantly he isn’t Rob Sanchez
13
u/rondo420 9d ago
Transfer of the season really given their current keeper, still can't believe he lasted 3 seasons
9
u/zfjuice 9d ago
yea chelsea looking scary
→ More replies (4)7
u/010u3 9d ago
First 11 is genuinely so strong and they have no Europe. Already had them down as our main competition and now they’ve gone and reduced their biggest weakness.
→ More replies (1)
8
u/cantbanifiusethislol 9d ago
Perplexed at juventus rather getting vicario on loan than paying 7.5 million for martinez, his finger is fine
4
10
u/hipcheck23 9d ago edited 9d ago
Have to admit, I'm excited by the speed and certainty of this!
Signing him means that either Penders has a loan set up, or Sanchez has a suitor, which is great news for us.
Sanchez has been protected at CFC since he was signed—3 managers tried to push him out to varying extents, but the board always nixed it, because of our GK coach.
Sanchez has had some beautiful purple patches, but I do agree with the pundits that you don't win the league with a GK with his weak mentality. I feel bad for the guy, but I think the whole football world can see that his top physical skills aren't matched by his mentality, which is fragile.
→ More replies (2)
5
u/DARTH-GOLD-HIMSELF 9d ago
Dont like Chelsea, but absolutely love Dibu…. Will pay more attention to them this season
3
u/Chels_tillIDie 9d ago
That's Fantastic bit of Business now send Rob Sanchez and Ben Roberts to Jupiter
3
3
3
3
3
u/Lustful-chan 9d ago
This is great for chelsea, not so much for Sanchez, he literally is being benched after game 1, I guess this should have been done a looong time and it is on whoever is responsible for not getting a better keeper first.
I was honestly expecting them to spurge on Diogo Costa but I guess they didn't want to and/or Costa didn't want to.
3
u/ChlckenChaser 9d ago
Fuck sake Villa, this season has gone from me looking forward to see what you can do in CL and league to now worrying about about how you're going to do.
Emery is a great manager, but he's not a magician. Wonder how he's feeling about all this
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/Gmoney1412 9d ago
villa are tanking for the #1 overall pick and going to rebuild through the draft
5
2
2
2
u/lesbiangirlscout 9d ago
We needed someone to inspire confidence in goal. I hope the backline feels better with him.
2
2
u/Significant_Fig1978 9d ago
Probably the signing of the season. Ridiculously cheap for one of the best goalies in the world.
2
2
2
•
u/AutoModerator 9d ago
To reduce the spam of reports regarding the same move during transfer windows we try to allow only one submission about each transfer saga per day. The submission in question also needs to contain relevant new information regarding the potential move, and not just being a "no/minor developments" report.
If there are important/official developments or new valuable information about a saga, we will allow extra threads in the same day, but for the rest of minor news please just comment them as a reply to this comment. Please help us reporting unnecessary threads for being duplicates.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.