Chelsea in contact over move for Villa goalkeeper Martinez

Chelsea are exploring a potential move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to sources close to the player's representatives. The 33‑year‑old is regarded as expendable at Villa after the club secured Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for roughly £30m earlier this month. A transfer could open further business between the two sides, following Chelsea’s club‑record £117m acquisition of forward Morgan Rogers from Villa and the loan arrangement that sent Alejandro Garnacho the opposite way. Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at about £65m, is also said to be a possible target for Villa, which would reunite him with former head coach Unai Emery. The clubs have a history of close dealings, exemplified by the earlier “PSR swap” that saw defender Ian Maatsen move to Villa and Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, transfer to Chelsea. Juventus had previously pursued Martinez during the current transfer window, but talks collapsed over worries about a finger injury, prompting the Serie A side to take Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario on loan instead. The latest Chelsea interest coincides with growing unease over the performances of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Sanchez, the club’s current first‑choice keeper, was beaten by Josh King’s angled effort in the opening Premier League fixture against Fulham and later spilled a separate attempt into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score, although Chelsea prevailed 3‑2 at Craven Cottage. Manager Xavi Alonso initially defended Sanchez after the match and was questioned again ahead of the Carabao Cup tie versus Luton Town on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge. He replied: "No, (we person had) mean conversations," helium said. "We person talked much astur the squad thing, astur what we did good and what we person to bash better." "It was much astur knowing the context. Every crippled is going to beryllium important due to the fact that we are successful this process that we inactive request to make things, we request to marque adjustments that are much team-related." Chelsea’s number two goalkeeper Mike Penders, who returned from a productive loan spell at Strasbourg over the summer, could feature instead. When asked about Penders, Alonso added: "He's successful the squad, truthful helium has an opportunity." "We volition determine and springiness the squad to the players tomorrow, truthful I similar to expect that they cognize first."