Roy Keane has voiced skepticism about Ian Wright's belief that Emiliano Martinez will elevate Chelsea to "the next level" following his move from Aston Villa. The Blues started the new season with Robert Sanchez as their first-choice goalkeeper under manager Xabi Alonso. However, Sanchez struggled in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham, leading the club to seek a new goalkeeper. Martinez, signed for £7.5 million, was brought in after intermediaries facilitated the deal, marking a late summer move for the club.
Martinez, who has played in multiple World Cup finals and won the tournament with Argentina, had been a key figure at Aston Villa last season. Many pundits, including Ian Wright, have praised the signing, arguing that Martinez’s experience and the relatively low transfer fee make him a smart acquisition for Chelsea. Wright, on The Overlap, suggested Martinez could help take the club to new heights, particularly in goal, where they had struggled with Sanchez's performances.
Keane, however, remains unconvinced. The former Manchester United captain questioned the wisdom of signing Martinez, pointing out that he had conceded many goals for Aston Villa last season. While he acknowledged Martinez’s personality and charisma, Keane expressed doubt about his ability to improve Chelsea’s defensive record. “I don’t know if that’s a great signing for Chelsea,” Keane said. “I know they needed a new goalkeeper, but I’m not sure.”
Not everyone shares Keane’s concerns. Nicky Butt, Keane’s former Manchester United teammate, called Martinez the “signing of the century” on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. Paul Scholes also praised the move, suggesting that Aston Villa might have been undervaluing Martinez by not asking for a higher transfer fee. Scholes argued that Martinez is a top-class goalkeeper, and even though he conceded three goals on his debut against Brighton, he believes he will ultimately be more valuable to Chelsea than Sanchez.
Martinez’s debut against Brighton ended in a dramatic 4-3 victory for Chelsea, though he conceded three goals. Now, the focus shifts to Sunday’s match against Premier League champions Arsenal, who also have an unbeaten start to the season. Both teams will be looking to maintain their perfect records as they face off in a highly anticipated clash.
Chelsea Signs Emiliano Martinez Amid Debate on Impact and Value
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Original sources:
- 🇬🇧Metro UK



