David Seaman’s verdict on Chelsea’s decision to replace Robert Sanchez with Emiliano Martinez
Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation was a big talking point at the start of the season, and David Seaman has now had his say.
Robert Sanchez started the campaign as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, but after two costly errors away at Fulham, he was replaced by Emiliano Martinez before joining Como on loan. Martinez has had quite a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge.
The former Aston Villa man has made some great saves, but there have also been goals where critics felt he could have done better. Kai Havertz’s strike at the Emirates is just one example.
Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔
Let us know your reasoning! 👇
David Seaman has backed Chelsea’s call to bring in Emiliano Martinez
With Martinez blowing hot and cold, some are already questioning whether the Argentine is an upgrade on Sanchez. Not Seaman, though.
The Arsenal and England legend thinks Chelsea needed Martinez, stating that while Sanchez has some good qualities, he was far too inconsistent.
Asked whether Martinez’s £7.5m transfer to Chelsea was a good move or not on the Rip and Reveal Podcast, Seaman said: “Yeah, I think that’s really good for Chelsea. He’s a proper goalie and he’s what Chelsea needed. They had Sanchez before who was brilliant at times, but he wasn’t consistent, but he could make really good saves.
“I liken him to David James. So athletic, tall, he could dive and spring, but it’s the consistency, keeping mistakes out of the game.”
Martinez has yet to keep a clean sheet since joining the Blues from Villa, but that is not solely down to him. Chelsea have not had a shutout in the Premier League since January, showing how poor their defending has been collectively.
Robert Sanchez’s and Emiliano Martinez’s 2025/26 stats compared
Individually and collectively, Martinez certainly had a better 2025/26 campaign than Sanchez as he helped Villa to qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. Sanchez finished 10th with Chelsea and won nothing, while most of his stats were inferior to his replacement’s.
For example, Sanchez conceded 49 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last term, while Martinez only conceded 39 in 32. According to FBref, Martinez also had a better save percentage.
| Player | League apps | Minutes | Goals conceded | Clean sheets | Goals conceded per 90 | Save percentage |
| Robert Sanchez | 35 | 3,039 | 49 | 9 | 1.45 | 66.7% |
| Emiliano Martinez | 32 | 2,835 | 39 | 8 | 1.24 | 70.9% |
It perhaps does not look like it yet, but once Martinez is fully settled and Chelsea’s defence as a whole improve, the Argentina international should start to come across as more of an upgrade on his predecessor.
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