Xabi Alonso seemed willing to give Robert Sánchez one more chance to prove himself as the starting goalkeeper we need, and not just deserve, but Bob’s disastrous display on Monday night has prompted a quick change of mind from the manager.
The Telegraph report that Alonso is “prioritising” the acquisition of a new goalkeeper before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline. And wouldn’t you know it, there is a perfectly suitable Emiliano Martínez sitting around doing absolutely nothing over there at Villa!
Dibu, who’s training away from the Villa first-team after making over 250 appearances for them and was not part of their matchday squad over the weekend, has been looking for a change of scenery all summer, and perhaps even before then. A move to Juventus seemed likely at one point, but that fell through, while links with Manchester United, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona never really materialized into something concrete.
Martínez, who’s been named the world’s best goalkeeper twice in the last four years, will be turning 34 next week, but goalkeepers age differently than position players. And, really, we only need him for a season or two, if Mike Penders develops as we expect him to do.
Let’s do it?
