Transfers
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Chelsea capture Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa in deadline-day coup
The 33-year-old, a Copa América winner and 2022 World Cup champion, seals a transfer to Stamford Bridge after six seasons and a €18.5M move from Arsenal.
Emiliano Martínez has completed his switch from Aston Villa to Chelsea, ending a six-year spell in the Midlands and bringing a proven Premier League and international pedigree to Stamford Bridge. The Argentina international, 33, arrived on a standard transfer and is expected to compete for the starting goalkeeper role.
At a glance
- Age: 33 | Position: Goalkeeper
- Move: Transfer from Aston Villa to Chelsea, completed 2026-08-29
- Previous fee: joined Villa from Arsenal for €18.5M in September 2020
Career context
Martínez's journey to Chelsea has been a circuitous one, built on loan spells and steady development before his breakthrough. He began senior experience away from home, including loans to Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves and Reading, before a loan to Getafe in 2017. That spell in Spain helped forge his reputation, and he returned to Arsenal in 2018. A permanent move to Aston Villa followed in September 2020 for €18.5M, where he established himself as a regular starter.
His trophy cabinet reflects both club and country success. With the Arsenal academy and first team, he collected multiple FA Cups, Community Shields and Emirates Cups. At Aston Villa he added a second Community Shield and an FA Cup runners-up finish. Internationally, he was part of Argentina's Copa América triumphs in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory, and the CONMEBOL/UEFA Finalissima win in 2022.
How he fits at his new club
Chelsea's goalkeeper situation has been fluid, and Martínez arrives with the profile of a keeper comfortable in a high-pressure environment. His 2025 Premier League numbers — 32 starts, 2835 minutes, 95 saves, 39 goals conceded and a 6.98 rating — suggest a goalkeeper logging heavy minutes and performing consistently. His 74% pass accuracy and 28 of 29 duels won in the Premier League indicate competence with the ball at his feet, a trait increasingly valued in modern systems.
His experience in the UEFA Europa League, where he made 11 starts across 990 minutes with a 7.12 rating and 30 saves, adds European pedigree that should translate directly to Chelsea's ambitions in continental competition.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
Recent numbers
During the 2025 season, Martínez featured in 50 competitive appearances across all competitions, accumulating 4397 minutes in goal. His overall output included 136 saves, 53 goals conceded, 1828 passes completed and a 7.01 rating. He kept 0 red cards and picked up 3 yellows, while contributing an assist.
Breaking that down by competition:
- Premier League: 32 apps, 2835 mins, 95 saves, 39 conceded, 1 assist, 7.0 rating
- UEFA Europa League: 11 apps, 990 mins, 30 saves, 7 conceded, 7.12 rating
- Friendlies Clubs: 4 apps, 360 mins, 7 saves, 4 conceded, 6.95 rating
- Friendlies: 2 apps, 166 mins, 4 saves, 0 conceded, 7.2 rating
- FA Cup: 1 app, 46 mins, 3 conceded, 6.5 rating
His attribute profile lists 70 saves, 57 goals against, 87 passing and 100 duels, reinforcing his reputation as an active, distribution-minded goalkeeper.
Key takeaways
- Martínez arrives at 33 with recent Premier League experience and a track record of heavy-minute seasons.
- His 2025 numbers: 50 apps, 4397 mins, 136 saves, 7.01 rating — proven durability.
- A Copa América winner (2021, 2024) and 2022 World Cup champion, he brings elite-level experience to Chelsea's goal.
- His 74% pass accuracy and strong duels record suggest he fits a ball-playing defensive system.
- Chelsea gain a keeper who has operated consistently in both domestic and European competition, with 11 Europa League starts in 2025 alone.
| Metric (2025) | Martínez | Chelsea need |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | 50 | Reliable minutes |
| Saves | 136 | Shot-stopping |
| Minutes | 4397 | Durability |
| Pass accuracy | 74% | Distribution |
| Rating | 7.01 | Consistency |