No good relationship between Chelsea, Villa – Emery
August 31, 2026 6:50 am
FILE: Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has dismissed suggestions of a good relationship between Chelsea and his club despite a series of transfers between the two Premier League sides.
Emiliano Martinez completed his move from Villa to Chelsea on Sunday, becoming the eighth player to move between the clubs in the past four years.
The Argentina goalkeeper’s transfer came just days after Nicolas Jackson moved in the opposite direction, joining Villa from Chelsea.
No two Premier League clubs have exchanged more players on permanent or loan deals during that period.
However, Emery insisted the frequent transfer activity should not be viewed as evidence of a close relationship between the clubs.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, Emery was quoted as saying, “Good relations?” Emery said. “They want to kill us and we want to kill them!
“We have good players and we can sign one player off them, it’s not a good relationship, it’s a deal for money and a deal for players.
“I am happy for Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers and I know I am not happy for Chelsea.”
The series of deals began after Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, took control of the club in 2022, with Carney Chukwuemeka moving from Villa to Chelsea for £20m that summer.
Since then, Ian Maatsen joined Villa for £37.5m, while Omari Kellyman moved to Chelsea for £19m. Axel Disasi also joined Villa on a loan deal worth £5m.
Four more deals have taken place this summer.
Morgan Rogers completed a £117m move to Chelsea, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy in a deal worth around £43m.
Jackson then moved to Villa for £65m before Martinez followed him to Chelsea.
Chelsea have paid Villa £163.5m for players since 2022, while Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee.
That figure could rise to £150.5m if certain conditions are met for Garnacho’s move to become permanent, with Chelsea believing those criteria are easily reachable.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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