Emi Martinez Makes Chelsea Debut Against Brighton
The Argentina goalkeeper starts at Stamford Bridge hours after his signing from Aston Villa was confirmed, as Brighton arrive without two injured players.
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A New Goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge
Emi Martinez started in goal for Chelsea against Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge, making his debut for the club in the Premier League. Chelsea's official website reported that the 33 year old Argentine's signing from Aston Villa was confirmed on the morning of the match, and that manager Xabi Alonso put him straight into the starting eleven.
Martinez was one of three changes made by Alonso, who was appointed Chelsea manager earlier in the summer. The club said the Blues were looking to make it three wins from three under him, following a victory at Fulham to open the top flight campaign and a win over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, English football's League Cup.
Speaking about the move, Martinez said: "I'm delighted to be at this football club. Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon." He added that he wanted to win at everything he does and described Chelsea as a club that wins titles.
The Team Sheets
Chelsea named Martinez behind a back three of Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, who captained the side against his former loan club. Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato were named as wing backs, Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto in midfield, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro in attack. All three attackers scored at Fulham.
The Guardian listed Brighton as Verbruggen, Wieffer, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli, Gross, Kadioglu, Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper and Kostoulas. Danny Welbeck, who scored against Luton, started on the Chelsea bench against his former club, as did former Brighton players Moises Caicedo and Valentin Barco.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was without Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood through injury. "I never complain about injuries," he told Sky Sports. "I'm a big believer in giving new opportunities to other players, I wouldn't put them in the squad otherwise."
Background and Open Questions
Ahead of the game, Alonso said Colwill and Geovany Quenda had been managed carefully through a busy week rather than being injured, and that he was hopeful Caicedo would be available. Fofana had served the second of a two match suspension against Luton. Summer signing Jordan Henderson was still waiting for a green light to play after an injury sustained during the World Cup.
Sky Sports pundit Lewis Jones wrote that Chelsea conceded twice at Fulham, where goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made what he called another costly error, and argued that Chelsea's aggressive shape left the defence exposed. Former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Radio 5 Live that Sanchez was culpable for a few mistakes and called Martinez a great signing.
The sources do not report a final score or any events from the match itself. Where Sanchez, previously a Brighton player, will end up next is also not stated.
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