Chelsea weigh up shock Emi Martinez transfer as Xabi Alonso stance becomes clear
Chelsea weigh up shock Emi Martinez transfer as Alonso stance clear

Chelsea could sign Emi Martinez in the final week of the transfer window with the Aston Villa goalkeeper offered to the Blues.

Villa have already seen a host of last year's starting XI leave for pastures new and Martinez, who was tipped to leave for Manchester United last summer but stayed, is free to leave Villa Park in the coming days. Plans have already been made for his departure with Unai Emery's side agreeing to sign Zion Suzuki from Parma. Martinez had looked set to join Juventus before talks broke down, leaving him in limbo.

Alonso prioritising new goalkeeper

Chelsea, now under Xabi Alonso's guidance, have yet to sign a new goalkeeper with last year's No 1 Robert Sanchez remaining as the club's first choice, despite his error count. He was held responsible for at least one of the goals the Blues conceded in their 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday.

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It has now emerged that Chelsea have been offered the World Cup winner's services with The Telegraph reporting that Alonso is prioritising the signing of a new first-choice goalkeeper. Those mishaps could now prompt Chelsea to act, especially with a goalkeeper of Martinez's calibre on the market. The shotstopper has been among the Premier League's top goalkeepers and is also a World Cup winner.

Sanchez's errors under scrutiny

Sanchez conceded from Josh King, beaten at his near post after criticism of his positioning. He could also only palm out a Timothy Castagne strike which allowed Gonzalo Garcia to score from close range.

When asked if he and Sanchez had spoken about Monday night, Alonso said: "No, normal conversations. We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better. It was more about understanding the context. Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team-related."

Blues already active in market

Chelsea have already dealt with Villa this summer to secure the record signing of Morgan Rogers, who scored on debut earlier this week. During their five previous Premier League triumphs, the most recent of which coming in 2017, the Blues have had world class goalkeepers in between the sticks in Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois.

The Blues have already spent big this summer with Rogers and Maxence Lacroix the new signings who started at Craven Cottage on Monday. Pep Chavarria and Geovany Quenda appeared off the bench.

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