Chelsea sign Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa on three-year deal

Emiliano Martínez moved straight into Chelsea's starting lineup after joining the club from Aston Villa on a three-year contract. The Argentina goalkeeper made his debut against Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, immediately displacing Robert Sánchez.

Chelsea completed the signing of the 33-year-old, who helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. Martínez said joining the London club had been an easy decision for him and his family, and that he wanted to bring a winning mentality to a club known for winning titles.

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Joining Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision and I am immensely happy.

Sánchez had made mistakes that led to goals in Chelsea's Premier League opening match against Fulham on Monday. Those errors prompted widespread criticism and saw him viewed as a weak point as Chelsea seek to challenge for the title this season.

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I am someone who wants to win everything I do and I want to bring that to this football club because it is a club that wins titles, so I think it fits well.

Aston Villa's signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier this month opened the way for Martínez's departure. Martínez made 256 appearances for Villa across six seasons and helped the club win the Europa League in May.

He has been Argentina's regular starter since 2021 and has won 67 caps. He also helped Argentina win the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. Martínez received the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world's top-performing goalkeeper, at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremonies. He said he would give everything in every match and training session to make Chelsea, his teammates and the fans proud.

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I am pure passion and I play with my heart.