Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has dismissed suggestions that his club enjoys a close relationship with Chelsea, despite an unprecedented exchange of players between the two Premier League sides in recent years.
The latest transfer saw Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez complete his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea on Sunday, becoming the eighth player to switch between the two clubs in the past four years.
The deal came only days after Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson moved in the opposite direction, joining Aston Villa in a transfer that further highlighted the increasingly active trading relationship between the clubs.
No two Premier League clubs have exchanged more players on permanent or loan deals during that period. However, Emery has rejected the notion that the frequent transfers are a reflection of a friendly relationship between the two sides.
“Good relations?” Emery said, according to BBC Sport. “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 transfers began following the takeover of Chelsea by its current ownership group, BlueCo, in 2022. Carney Chukwuemeka was the first major player to make the switch, joining Chelsea from Villa for £20 million that summer.
Since then, the two clubs have continued to conduct significant business. Ian Maatsen moved to Aston Villa for £37.5 million, while Omari Kellyman joined Chelsea for £19 million. Chelsea defender Axel Disasi also spent time at Villa on loan in a deal worth £5 million.
The transfer activity intensified during the current summer window, with four more deals taking place between the clubs.
Morgan Rogers completed a £117 million move to Chelsea, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Aston Villa on loan in a deal containing a conditional obligation to buy worth around £43 million.
Jackson subsequently moved to Villa for £65 million before Martinez completed his transfer to Chelsea.
Since 2022, Chelsea have paid Aston Villa a total of £163.5 million for players, while Villa have spent £102.5 million on Chelsea players, including Disasi’s loan fee.
Villa’s spending could rise to £150.5 million if the conditions attached to Garnacho’s deal are fulfilled and the transfer becomes permanent. Chelsea reportedly believe those conditions are highly achievable.
Despite the scale and frequency of the transactions, Emery insists the dealings between the clubs should be viewed strictly as football and financial transactions rather than evidence of a close relationship.
The repeated exchange of players, however, has made Chelsea and Aston Villa the Premier League’s most active trading partners in recent years.
For sponsorship and advert contact:
Post a Comment