'Signing of the summer' confirms Chelsea transfer reason

4 Oct 2026 18:09 BST 2 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has confirmed that he decided to join the club this summer as a direct result of Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

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The 34-year-old was tipped to join Juventus during the early weeks of the summer transfer window, but the Serie A giants eventually decided to sign Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario on loan, which allowed Chelsea to pounce.

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€12.2M - €14.9M

Robert Sanchez started the season as the Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper, however the club acted quickly to sign Martinez following the Spaniard’s display against Fulham, and he was sent on loan to Como before the end of the Deadline Day.

Chelsea paid just €8.8 million to secure Martinez’s signature and the Argentina star has now confirmed that he wanted to leave Aston Villa due to his nation’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.

“It took a lot out of me after losing a World Cup final; the pain stayed with me for a long time. I needed a fresh start at my club to get over the heartache I felt after that final,” Martinez told ESPN Argentina (via Birmingham Mail).

“I come here [international duty] and honestly feel great, happy, full of energy, and that's what matters most.”

© IMAGO - Emiliano Martinez (left) with Mike Penders (right), Chelsea

Emiliano Martinez to Chelsea: The best signing of the summer?

While Martinez has conceded 10 goals in just four games since his arrival at Chelsea, the Blues’ decision to sign him for €8.8m was greeted with widespread positivity at the time.

In fact, when asked if Brentford star Mamadou Sangare was the signing of the summer, ex-Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp quipped: “Yeah for me, and also Emi Martinez as well, that was a really smart one.

“You couldn't take Chelsea seriously this season if they kept the goalkeeper [Sanchez] in place. Not that I don't think he's going to come back and have a really good career, maybe just not at Chelsea.

“But that Emi Martinez one with his experience and quality that he possesses, I think it gives Chelsea a really good chance. That's the question mark that everyone had against them: 'Is the goalkeeper good enough?' And he certainly is.”