Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso praised Emiliano Martinez after the Argentina goalkeeper made his debut for the London club on the same day he completed his transfer.
Martinez was included in Chelsea’s team for their 4-3 Premier League victory over Brighton in the second round of the competition. Alonso was satisfied with the new goalkeeper’s performance and singled out the qualities he believes Martinez brings to the squad.
“He has charisma and strong energy,” Alonso said.
The match against Brighton marked an unusually immediate start to Martinez’s Chelsea career. Having only signed for the club, the Argentina international was placed straight into the team for the second-round Premier League fixture.
His arrival gives Chelsea a goalkeeper with several years of experience at Aston Villa. Martinez had previously represented the club for a number of seasons before making the move to London, with Chelsea paying 7.5m euros for his transfer.
Alonso’s positive assessment came after Martinez’s first appearance in a Chelsea shirt, with the goalkeeper involved in a match that produced seven goals. Chelsea eventually prevailed 4-3 against Brighton, and Martinez’s debut came as part of the club’s early Premier League campaign under Alonso.
The decision to use Martinez immediately ensured that his first Chelsea appearance came on the same day as his signing. Rather than waiting for a later fixture, the goalkeeper went directly into the squad for the meeting with Brighton and took part in the 4-3 result.
For Martinez, the move represents a change from Aston Villa, where he had spent several years before joining Chelsea. The transfer fee of 7.5m euros was agreed for the Argentina goalkeeper, who has now begun his time at his new club with a Premier League appearance.
Alonso’s comments focused on more than the debut itself. In describing Martinez as a player with “charisma and strong energy”, the Chelsea manager highlighted the personality and presence he feels the goalkeeper can offer. Those were the qualities Alonso chose to emphasise after Martinez’s first match for the club.
The Brighton fixture therefore combined three key elements of Martinez’s arrival: his transfer to Chelsea, his immediate inclusion in the team and a debut in a high-scoring Premier League contest. Chelsea’s 4-3 win provided the result, while Alonso’s reaction underlined his satisfaction with the goalkeeper’s performance.
Martinez’s Chelsea career has consequently begun with his new manager publicly expressing approval of his display. After several years at Aston Villa, the Argentina goalkeeper has moved to Chelsea for 7.5m euros and was given his first opportunity for the London club without delay.
