Chelsea signs Argentina's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa

Chelsea made Emiliano Martínez’s move official on Sunday, signing the 33-year-old Argentina World Cup-winning goalkeeper from Aston Villa on a three-year deal. Martínez, who has 67 caps since becoming a regular starter in 2021, immediately took over as Xabi Alonso’s first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Robert Sánchez for the trip to Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The switch comes after Sánchez’s errors contributed to goals in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday, leaving him widely seen as a major weakness. Villa’s earlier capture of U.S.-born Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki this month paved the way for Martínez’s departure. Martínez has 256 Villa appearances, won the Europa League in May, and took the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024.