Chelsea FC's new signing Emiliano Martinez made his debut for the club in their Premier League match against Brighton on Sunday. The goalkeeper joined from Aston Villa in a deal worth a reported £7.5 million and signed a three-year contract, as confirmed by The Independent.
Martinez was thrust straight into the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge. Manager Xabi Alonso omitted Robert Sanchez from the squad entirely, while Mike Penders, who started in the Carabao Cup, dropped to the bench. The move comes just days before the summer transfer deadline on Tuesday.
Who did Chelsea leave out against Brighton?
Alonso's team selection raised several questions. Enzo Fernandez was left out of the matchday squad again as a potential move to Manchester City continues to be discussed. Chelsea are said to value the midfielder at around £120 million. Moises Caicedo was named among the substitutes as he works his way back from an injury. In their absence, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia started in central midfield.
The full Chelsea lineup was Martinez in goal, with a back three of Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, and captain Levi Colwill. The wing-backs were Pedro Neto and Ian Maatsen, though the source lists Hato. The attack featured Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro.
What did Emiliano Martinez say about joining Chelsea?
Speaking after his transfer was confirmed, Martinez outlined his ambitions. "I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez said. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon - I can't wait to get started." He emphasized his winning mentality, adding, "I want to be successful here."
How does this affect Chelsea's squad depth?
The immediate promotion of Martinez to the number one spot creates uncertainty for other goalkeepers at the club. Robert Sanchez's future is now in doubt with the deadline approaching. In midfield, the continued absence of Fernandez and the careful reintegration of Caicedo from injury places more responsibility on players like Lavia and Gusto in the short term. Fans can track the full squad's availability on the club's injuries page.
Chelsea's activity this week signals a busy end to the transfer window. The club has been active in the market, and the integration of new signings will be key for Alonso. The team's upcoming schedule, including crucial league matches, can be viewed on the fixtures page. Securing Martinez provides a new option between the posts as Chelsea aims to improve on their current league position, which you can follow on the standings tracker.
