Chelsea sign Martinez in £7.5m deal from Villa

Chelsea have signed Emi Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year deal. <p>The transfer is worth \u00a37.5m, with Martinez coming in and expecting to be a regular starter at Chelsea.<!--ScriptorEndFragment--></p><p>Martinez's arrival was announced hours before the Blues kicked off against Brighton on <em>Super Sunday </em>and he was registered in time to start at Stamford Bridge.</p><p>However, despite letting in three goals against the Seagulls, <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/chelsea-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion/report/559456">Chelsea did win 4-3</a> to make it a perfect start under Xabi Alonso - and Martinez has his eyes on the big prize.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp">Transfer Centre LIVE!</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11095/13108333/football-transfer-news-rumours-reports-and-gossip?inApp=true">Latest on YOUR PL club!</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-scores-fixtures">Premier League fixtures & scores</a> | <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/FreePLHighlightsFirst">FREE PL highlights</a>\u25b6\ufe0f</strong></li><li><strong>Got Sky? <a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchPremarticles">Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone</a>\ud83d\udcf1</strong></li><li><strong>Not got Sky? <a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">Latest Sky Sports deals</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports/football/premier-league?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">stream PL games with no contract</a>\ud83d\udcfa</strong></li></ul><p>He told <em>Sky Sports: </em>"I spoke about the legends of Chelsea with JT [John Terry, who coached Martinez at Villa] and Petr [Cech]. I knew how big this club is and what we want to achieve this season.</p><p>"I came here to help. I had an amazing seven years at Aston Villa and I've come here to challenge myself and try and win the Premier League.</p><p>"I've only been here one day but the guys have treated me really well and I'm going to try to bring my experience to help the team win.</p><p>"I came here for the reason - I knew the front three was amazing. They're different and you can see it today, when we go forward, we hurt teams.</p><widget id="8"></widget><p>"We had a lot of chances. That's what we need, to keep improving and scoring goals. At the back, it's about bringing goals [conceded] down.</p><p>"But a win is a win. I know it wasn't a perfect game, we were 3-0 up and could have put the game to bed but winning and moving on is what we need. We've got 36 games left and it's one week after another."</p><p><em>Sky Sports News </em>reported Chelsea were considering a late move for Martinez after current No 1<strong> </strong><strong>Robert Sanchez </strong>came under criticism after his error in last Monday's win at Fulham.</p> <widget id="3"></widget><p>Martinez had needed to find a new club after Villa signed <strong>Zion Suzuki </strong>from Parma for nearly \u00a330m.</p><p>He was the subject of interest from Juventus but they chose to sign <strong>Guglielmo Vicario </strong>from Spurs.</p><h3>Martinez joins Villa exodus</h3> <widget id="5"></widget><p>Martinez becomes the latest high-profile player to leave Villa following <strong>Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans </strong>and <strong>Lucas Digne </strong>out of <strong>Villa Park, </strong>with <strong>Ollie Watkins </strong>also on the verge of an exit.</p><p>The Argentinian joined Villa in 2020 and was a key player in their rise to the top table of English football, culminating in last season's Europa League success.</p><p>Villa said in a statement: "Emi joined the club from Arsenal in 2020 and has been a commanding presence in goal throughout his time at the club, which culminated in him helping Villa win the UEFA Europa League in May.</p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>"He earned his first international caps while at Aston Villa, going on to win two Copa Am\u00e9rica titles and a FIFA World Cup with Argentina.</p><p>"He was also twice named the world's number one goalkeeper, picking up successive Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024 as well as two The Best FIFA Football awards.</p><p>"With his stellar performances and infectious competitive nature, Emi will always be remembered for his part in our recent journey and success and leaves Aston Villa with the very best wishes of everyone at the football club."</p> <widget id="7"></widget>