Chelsea agree deal for Villa's Martinez

Chelsea agree transfer to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in deal worth £7.5m; 2022 World Cup winner has been relegated to second choice at Villa Park after arrival of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma

Chelsea have agreed a deal worth £7.5m with Aston Villa to sign Emi Martinez.

Sky Sports News reported Chelsea were considering a late move for Martinez after current No 1 Robert Sanchez came under criticism after his error in Monday's win at Fulham.

Martinez has needed to find a new club after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30m.

He was the subject of interest from Juventus but they chose to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Spurs.

Question marks will now be raised over whether both Sanchez and Mike Penders will remain at Stamford Bridge for the season.

Penders started Chelsea's Carabao Cup tie with Luton on Thursday night, after Sanchez started v Fulham.

It is debatable whether Chelsea need three No 1s as they are not in Europe, and Penders has just returned from his loan at Strasbourg.

Sanchez was expected to be No 1 again this season but his performances have not always been convincing.

This deal for 33-year-old Martinez comes despite denials that Chelsea have been in the market for an experienced goalkeeper.

The Blues came close to signing Mike Maignan from AC Milan last summer but could not agree a fee.

Martinez is available and he can be hard work sometimes. He comes across like that. But he's one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

And if Chelsea want to get back to being one of the best in the world, you've got to have a top goalkeeper.

Robert Sanchez is usually a good shot-stopper. This weekend, or against Arsenal at the Emirates in two weeks' time, he could be mind-blowing. He could make save after save after save and you'll sit there and go: 'Wow.' He could save Chelsea next week.