Chelsea are reportedly in the race to sign Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentine possibly seeking a move if Villa fail to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
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Unai Emery’s side experienced a breakthrough last season, finishing fourth in the Premier League to reach the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Villa continued their momentum with an impressive start to this year’s campaign, winning their first three group matches, including a thrilling victory over Bayern Munich at Villa Park.
Domestically, Villa also began the Premier League season strongly, but their form has dipped recently. They currently sit sixth in the table, three points adrift of the top four, while their Champions League group position has also become precarious as they stand fifth ahead of their final two matches.
Former England striker Darren Bent has speculated that Martinez, who played a pivotal role in Villa’s rise, could explore a move away if the club fails to secure Champions League football again.
Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League and chasing a surprise title challenge, have emerged as a potential destination.
Chelsea are thriving under Enzo Maresca this season, participating in the Europa Conference League but seemingly poised for a return to Europe’s elite competition.
However, despite their success, questions remain over the quality of their current No. 1 goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, with many suggesting the Blues need an upgrade to compete at the highest level.
Bent, speaking to talkSPORT, hinted at the possibility of Chelsea signing Martinez:
“If Aston Villa don’t get back into the Champions League, he might consider leaving. He could play for almost any team he wants to. Chelsea might be a good fit.”
Since his move from Arsenal to Aston Villa in 2020, Martinez has cemented his place among the world’s top goalkeepers. The 32-year-old has won major honors, including the World Cup and Copa America, while helping Villa return to European competition.
Premier League legend Jussi Jaaskelainen also praised Martinez, describing him as one of the best players in the league. Speaking to Ladbrokes, the former Bolton goalkeeper stated:
“For me, Alisson is top-class, but Emi Martinez is right up there.
His move to Villa was incredible for his career—he’s big, commanding, and great with the ball. Everything about him stands out.”
Jaaskelainen highlighted Martinez’s resilience and his journey to the top. Before joining Villa, Martinez spent years on loan at six different clubs and struggled to establish himself at Arsenal. His breakthrough came in 2020 when he stepped up during Bernd Leno’s injury, playing a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph.
“This is a great lesson for young footballers,” Jaaskelainen added. “Martinez proved that playing senior football, even at smaller clubs, is vital for growth. His story shows what patience and determination can achieve.”
While Aston Villa hopes to retain their star keeper, the prospect of Martinez joining Chelsea could mark a significant turning point in both clubs’ ambitions.
