'Unbelievable' - Ex-Aston Villa employee dumbfounded by Emiliano Martinez's Chelsea move

Emiliano Martinez's move to Chelsea has hallmarks of Pat Jennings' move to Arsenal in 1977.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 34-year-old's £7.5million move from Villa has been lauded as one of the signings of the summer, although there are doubts over his age.

Martinez has allowed more mistakes to creep into his game in recent years, and seems to miss several matches through injury every season.

Chelsea were in need of a goalkeeper, however, and have signed one of the Premier League's most experienced options.

Jennings, a legend for both Arsenal and Tottenham, was 32 when he made the move across North London, but would go on to spend another eight years in the First Division.

'Can you believe' Emi Martinez deal?

Martinez ultimately made 256 appearances for Villa and has established himself as one of the Premier League's most reliable goalkeepers since his 2020 move from Arsenal.

But the Argentine's best displays have undoubtedly come for his nation, for which he has won the World Cup and the Copa America, twice.

Although he ended his Villa career by winning the Europa League, Martinez has been keen to leave for some time now as he looks to litter the final years of his career with trophies.

Chelsea will hope to provide that opportunity, and given the fact that he has been handed a three-year contract, the goalkeeper is not looking to go anywhere yet.

Speaking to Football Insider, King asked: "Can you believe that Sunderland sold a third-choice goalkeeper direction for £8m and Chelsea picked up Martinez from Villa for £7.5m?

"I know there's a vast age difference, of course, but there are times when you can't beat experience, as it was proven when Pat Jennings moved from Tottenham. Who thought he was going to have the career he had at Arsenal?"

Martinez considering international retirement

Martinez has already won the World Cup with Argentina, and will undoubtedly go down in legend for several high-profile saves along the way.

He dreamed of winning the legendary tournament for a second time, but was denied by Spain in the summer.

"I dreamed that we won it back, I dreamed of bringing it to Argentina and making history once again," Martinez wrote after the game.

"The truth is pain is difficult to explain, it remains to reflect on many things and see how it moves forward and if it's time to take a step aside. I'm so sorry, really tried my best to help my country and my fellow countrymen."

Retirement from football generally does not appear to be a possibility that has entered the goalkeeper's mind, yet, however.