"Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible." Jamie Carragher's line, quoted by football365.com, was harsh but it landed because the issue is already live at Chelsea. The club have made contact with Emiliano Martínez's representatives, and that looks far more like a response to growing doubt around Robert Sánchez than a random market check.

Xabi Alonso has tried to keep the discussion wider than one player, but the mistakes have been too obvious to dismiss. Chelsea are sixth, and early-season sloppiness in goal is already shaping the conversation around the team.

Sanchez has kept the debate going

The problem for Sanchez is that the talking points are not vague. He was beaten at his near post by Josh King in the opening Premier League fixture against Fulham. Later, he spilled a routine effort that allowed Gonzalo Garcia to score.

Those moments matter more when the team around him is still settling. Chelsea's last five competitive results read as two wins, one draw and two defeats, which is a decent reminder that this is not a side cruising through August with room to absorb gifts.

Alonso has not thrown his goalkeeper under the bus. Speaking to goal.com, he said: "No, we have had normal conversations. We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better."

That public backing sounds measured, but it is also careful. Alonso did not close the door on change, and he framed the issue as part of a team still in development rather than a settled No 1 riding out a rough week.

Martinez is the proven option on the market

This is where Martinez enters the story. Aston Villa are open to offers after signing Zion Suzuki from Parma for about £30m earlier this month, and Chelsea have made contact with the goalkeeper's representatives. Reports differ on whether that contact has developed into active talks or whether the move is still at the exploration stage, but the broad point is clear enough: Chelsea are looking closely at the position.

Martinez would give them experience straight away. He has made 256 appearances for Villa since joining from Arsenal in 2020, which is a very different profile from waiting on potential or hoping Sanchez settles quickly.

There are reasons Chelsea may still hesitate. Juventus' move for Martinez collapsed over concerns about a finger injury, so any club considering him will weigh that up. Alonso also has Mike Penders in the squad after his productive loan spell at Strasbourg, and speaking to goal.com he said: "He's in the squad, so he has an opportunity,"

Penders is part of the decision, but he does not remove the short-term pressure. Chelsea can like his future and still feel they need more certainty now.

Chelsea's next call in goal

The contested part is how far this has gone. Some reports present Chelsea's interest as real movement, while others leave more room for the idea that Martinez has been offered around and that Alonso may yet prefer to look internally. On balance, the stronger reading is that Sanchez's start has forced Chelsea into the market, even if the club have not committed to a deal.

Chelsea host Luton Town at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup clash, and the team sheet will be watched closely because the goalkeeper spot has become one of the first real pressure points of Alonso's reign.

FAQ

Will Chelsea sign Emiliano Martinez to replace Robert Sanchez?

Chelsea have made contact with Emiliano Martinez's representatives, but the reporting only supports contact, talks or consideration rather than a completed deal. The interest lines up with growing pressure on Robert Sanchez after early-season errors and public criticism, yet Xabi Alonso has not confirmed any permanent change in goal.

Why are Chelsea looking at Emiliano Martinez?

The main driver appears to be concern over Chelsea's current goalkeeper situation. Sanchez was beaten at his near post by Josh King against Fulham and later spilled a routine effort for Gonzalo Garcia to score. Jamie Carragher's criticism added to that pressure, and Chelsea are only sixth, so avoidable mistakes already feel costly.

Is Mike Penders ready to be Chelsea's number one now?

Chelsea are keeping Mike Penders in the conversation, but the reporting does not present him as the settled answer. He returned in the summer after a productive loan spell at Strasbourg, and Xabi Alonso said: "He's in the squad, so he has an opportunity," which leaves the decision open rather than resolved.

Would Emiliano Martinez be a short-term fix or a proven option for Chelsea?

Martinez would be the proven option. He has made 256 appearances for Aston Villa since joining from Arsenal in 2020, which gives Chelsea a goalkeeper with clear Premier League experience. Villa are open to offers after signing Zion Suzuki, though Martinez's collapsed Juventus move over a finger injury adds another layer to the decision.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 8 outlets. How we work →