Roy Keane disagrees with Ian Wright’s assertion that Emiliano Martinez will help Chelsea go to ‘the next level’ following his move from Aston Villa.
Chelsea came into the new season with Robert Sanchez as Xabi Alonso’s first-choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues attempted to replace Sanchez 12 months ago but focussed on other areas of the pitch for much of this summer.
But Sanchez produced another shaky performance in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham and the Stamford Bridge board quickly decided to enter the market for a new goalkeeper.
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Martinez was offered to Chelsea by intermediaries and a £7.5m deal was soon struck to bring the Argentine World Cup to west London.
A number of pundits have praised Chelsea’s deal for Martinez given his experience and the modest fee in today’s market.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright, speaking on The Overlap, said: ‘I think it’s a great signing for Chelsea. He’s the goalkeeper that can take them to that next level because they needed to do something there.’
But Keane disagrees with Wright’s opinion of Martinez and has doubts over Chelsea’s late summer transfer.
‘I don’t know if that’s a great signing for Chelsea,’ the former Manchester United captain said.
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‘I know they needed a new goalkeeper but I’m telling you, he was giving up a lot of goals for Aston Villa last season. I know he’s a character and a personality, I’ll give him that.
‘But I’m not sure. I don’t know about that. He loves parrying saves straight into the six-yard box.’
While Keane has doubts over Martinez, his former Manchester United teammate Nicky Butt has branded the goalkeeper the ‘signing of the century’.
‘The goalkeeper [Emiliano Martinez] could be the signing of the century,’ ex-England midfielder Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
‘7 million quid for someone who’s played in multiple World Cup finals, has won the World Cup and has been brilliant for Aston Villa.
‘I think Chelsea will be there or thereabouts in the title race this season. I’m not sure they can win the league with that defence and how many chances they concede but they will be up there.’
Paul Scholes also praised Chelsea’s deal for Martinez, who has forced Sanchez out of Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard attracted interest from clubs in England, Europe and Saudi Arabia before joining ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas’ Como on transfer deadline day.
Scholes said: ‘It’s obviously Chelsea were desperate for a goalkeeper but couldn’t Aston Villa get £20m for Emi Martinez?’
‘Even that would have been cheap but they’ve got a top-class keeper for £7.5m. I know he conceded three goals on his debut but over the season he will save them more points than Robert Sanchez.
‘He’s a confident lad so he will bring confidence to the team. He’s just one of those goalkeepers you look at and think, “I like you”.’
Martinez conceded three goals on his Chelsea debut, a thrilling 4-3 win over Brighton last weekend.
The Argentina will hope for a better defensive display this Sunday when Chelsea visit Premier League champions Arsenal.
Like Chelsea, Arsenal have a perfect record after two games, beating Coventry City on the opening weekend before a narrow win at Aston Villa on Monday night.
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Roy Keane questions Chelsea signing and disagrees with Arsenal legend Ian Wright | Football
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