William Gallas believes Chelsea would be wise to avoid a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in this summer’s transfer window.
Chelsea have already made attempts to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, but were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Mike Maignan prior to the Club World Cup.
The French goalkeeper was keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, but AC Milan have since confirmed that their captain will not be leaving the club this summer.
Later reports suggested that the Blues had been offered the chance to sign Martinez for £45million, with Villa looking to cash in on the World Cup winner due to their financial situation.
However, it has been said that while Chelsea ‘respect’ Martinez, they do not currently plan to make an offer for the Argentina international who has also attracted interest from Manchester United.
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And that decision has been endorsed by former Blues defender Gallas who believes that the 32-year-old’s crazy antics would make him a bad fit for the London club.
‘He’s a good goalkeeper,’ Gallas told Prime Casino. ‘Obviously, he was a key player for Argentina. He’s done well at Aston Villa since he joined them from Arsenal those years ago, but I have to admit, I have some serious doubts about whether he would be a good fit for Chelsea.
‘I don’t know if he’s got the right profile to be the goalkeeper of Chelsea. When I think about his antics, I just don’t think he would be a positive addition to the club.
‘People talk about his personality, his passion, I’m not sure that is a good fit for the club. I don’t think he would be the right goalkeeper.
‘Chelsea need a goalkeeper that is as good as him or maybe better, but with a different profile. Someone that does their job without doing all of the other stuff that Martinez does.’
‘I’m sorry but give me the name of one goalkeeper with the same profile,’ Gallas continued.
‘Name another goalkeeper who grabs his crotch and dances around when he makes a save, one goalkeeper who has done that who has played for a big club. You won’t be able to name one.
‘Goalkeepers are crazy. Jens Lehmann, he was crazy. Carlo Cudicini, he was crazy. Cech was cool.
‘Lehmann would never behave like Martinez – Martinez brings too much negative attention. You want a goalkeeper to make saves, keep clean sheets and leave the pitch. Martinez doesn’t do that.’
While Chelsea don’t currently look likely to pursue a move for Martinez, they have been active in the window as they look to provide Maresca with more attacking firepower.
Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have both arrived from Ipswich Town and Brighton respectively, while a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is reportedly close to being finalised.
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