Analysis: Is Martinez the missing piece?

[Getty Images] Alonso sprang a surprise by naming Martinez in the starting line-up - less than four hours after his £7.5m move was confirmed by the club. It is a lifeline for Martinez, who turns 34 next week and fell out of favour at Aston Villa following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of Japan's Zion Suzuki as Unai Emery's first-choice keeper. The World Cup winner's every catch was cheered on by the Stamford Bridge faithful during an assured display in goal, though he was unlucky to concede two of Brighton's three goals, his save landing on the feet of Yalcouye for the opener and then getting undone by Joao Pedro's own goal. His best moment came just before Brighton's second when he made a sharp diving save from Diego Gomez and he also denied Olivier Boscagli and Brighton a third, which would have levelled the score. Chelsea have spent heavily across the pitch under their new ownership, but for many, a reliable goalkeeper was the missing piece. Martinez's performance on his debut suggests they might have a solution in the Argentine. Meanwhile, there will now be question marks over Robert Sanchez's future in west London. The Spaniard, who had another error-strewn display during the 3-2 opening win at Fulham , was left out of the matchday squad completely as 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders found a place on the bench as Alonso's number two. It might well be the case that Sanchez, who was a £25m signing from Brighton in 2023, now joins the long list of players Chelsea are looking to offload before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. With an experienced shot-stopper in their ranks and the attack continuing to fire, Alonso's Chelsea could aim high this season, but their biggest test yet will come at champions Arsenal who they face next on Sunday, 6 September (16:30 BST).