Emiliano Martínez
CHE
GK
--
Sep 2, 1992 (34)
Right
6'5"
194 lb
ChelseaMakes eight saves in defeat
Martinez had eight saves and allowed two goals in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
Analysis: Martinez made eight saves in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, keeping Chelsea in the match throughout with multiple sharp stops before being beaten by Kai Havertz's strike and Martin Odegaard's second-half finish. The Argentine goalkeeper has now conceded five goals across his two Premier League appearances since arriving from Aston Villa with zero clean sheets. He heads into the Hull City fixture having made 12 saves across two matches, a workload that reflects Chelsea's defensive vulnerability more than any individual failing.
Makes four saves on debut
Martinez made four saves and allowed three goals in Sunday's 4-3 win over Brighton.
Analysis: Martinez was immediately handed the starting role after completing his move from Aston Villa earlier Sunday and produced four saves on his Chelsea debut. He made several important stops as Brighton created more opportunities after halftime, helping preserve Chelsea's advantage despite conceding three times. The experienced goalkeeper appears set to operate as Chelsea's No. 1 and now faces a notable trip to Arsenal in the next Premier League fixture.
Joins Chelsea
Martinez has completed a permanent move to Chelsea from Aston Villa, signing a three-year contract with the club.
Analysis: Martinez arrives at Chelsea after making 256 appearances across six seasons for Aston Villa and is expected to immediately take over as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. The 33-year-old brings considerable experience and a strong shot-stopping presence to the position, while his ability to command the penalty area should add stability at the back. Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders are expected to compete for the backup role behind Martinez, leaving the Argentine in line for regular starts as he begins his Chelsea career.
Unavailable amid Chelsea move
Martinez is out for Monday's Premier League clash against Arsenal as he prepares to complete a move from Aston Villa to Chelsea, according to The Athletic.
Analysis: Martinez will not feature against Arsenal on Monday, with his absence linked to his impending departure. The goalkeeper had already been training away from the main group while his future was being resolved, and his expected move to Chelsea now effectively ends his involvement with Villa. Zion Suzuki, who was brought in as Villa's new No. 1, is expected to start between the posts against Arsenal and take over the starting role moving forward.
Ruled out against Brighton
Martinez (undisclosed) is ruled out for Sunday's clash against Brighton.
Analysis: Martinez has been unable to earn a place in the squad despite training on his own with no further pain in his finger. His future at the club remains a hot topic amid transfer rumors surrounding a potential move away from Villa following the signing of Zion Suzuki, adding further uncertainty to a situation that remains unresolved heading into the new season. Marco Bizot is set to start between the posts in his absence, with Martinez's longer-term situation at the club expected to become clearer in the coming days as the transfer window continues.
Training separately Friday
Martinez is training on his own and has no pain in his finger as he works to catch up on fitness after returning a few days ago, although transfer rumours still linger, Jacob Tanswell reports.
Analysis: Martinez looks to be getting back to full fitness again after some time off following the World Cup and a finger injury, as the goalie is back training on his own with no more pain in his finger. However, the goalie's future remains a hot topic, as it appears he is set for a move out of Villa, especially after the signing of Zion Suzuki. The good news here is that whatever club he lands at, they should get him fit and ready to go.
Future uncertain despite training return
Martinez has resumed training at Bodymoor Heath after recovering from the injury he dealt with during the World Cup, though his long term future at the club remains unresolved, according to coach Unai Emery, per Birmingham Live. "We can share both. This scenario is a bad scenario? Not. We have two excellent keepers. We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level. Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic. This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers."
Analysis: Martinez has requested a new challenge this summer, a situation Emery confirmed also arose a year ago before Martinez ultimately stayed and performed well. That request prompted Villa to sign Zion Suzuki as a potential long term successor, even as a proposed move to Juventus for Martinez fell through earlier in the window. Martinez is expected to be included in Villa's squad for the season opener against Brighton now that he's back training, though his club future beyond this window remains genuinely unclear given the ongoing speculation.
Status unclear heading into new season
Martinez's transfer situation and unresolved finger injury, coupled with Villa's potential new goalkeeper signing, leave his status unclear heading into the new season.
Analysis: Martinez was left out of Aston Villa's Super Cup squad, with the club citing necessary rest as the reason. However, his situation is more complicated. His future has been uncertain all summer, with the closest possibility being a move to Juventus that ultimately fell through. Added to that is the ongoing issue with a finger injury he suffered in May. He chose to manage the injury rather than undergo immediate surgery, allowing him to play in the Europa League final and then carry the problem through Argentina's entire World Cup campaign. The situation remains unclear, but if he decides to undergo surgery, reports suggest he could be sidelined for around three months. Villa are now on the verge of signing Parma and Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, a move that could lead to Martinez losing his starting role. Suzuki is expected to compete for the No. 1 spot regardless of Martinez's situation. This leaves the 33-year-old facing an uncertain future, with his transfer options narrowed, potential surgery capable of sidelining him for three months, and no guarantee of remaining first choice even if he stays fit at Villa.
Won't face PSG in Super Cup
Martinez won't play in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup against PSG on Wednesday, according to manager Unai Emery.
Analysis: Martinez is one of three regulars who won't be playing Wednesday for the Midlands club, as Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins will also miss the match due to "completely necessary rest." Martinez was the regular starter between the posts for an Argentina side that lost the WC final to Spain on July 19, so he needs more rest before the start of the season. The idea is to have Martinez healthy, rested and ready to go for the Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday, Aug. 23.
Beaten late in huge performance
Martinez had 11 saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Spain.
Analysis: Martinez nearly kept Spain from lifting the World Cup trophy, repeatedly denying their attacks before Ferran Torres finally broke through in extra time. The Aston Villa goalkeeper had been far from this level of production during his previous outings, with the 11 saves against the champions more than doubling his total, going from nine to 20 saves in the entire competition. However, he kept only two clean sheets, both of which came in the initial pair of group-stage games.
Plays through pain at World Cup
Martinez revealed he has been in pain every day at the World Cup after fracturing his ring finger before the tournament, avoiding surgery despite specialist advice, according to Birmingham Live. "My hand still hurts every day, I knew it was going to be extremely painful, I avoided surgery, even though all the specialists I consulted in the United States and England told me I needed to have it."
Analysis: Martinez suffered the injury on May 20 warming up ahead of Villa's Europa League final win over Freiburg, taping up his finger to play through it before being sidelined for roughly a month, missing the Premier League season final win at Manchester City and Argentina's World Cup warmup matches. Despite the ongoing discomfort, he has continued playing through the tournament and said he has felt better since the round of 16, with his focus fully on Argentina's final against Spain on Sunday as he chases a second World Cup title.
Single save for win
Martinez registered one save and allowed one goal in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over England.
Analysis: Martinez only faced two shots on his net during Wednesday's win, and stopped one of them. Anthony Gordon beat him in second half, but Martinez calmed the team down and kept the game close before Argentina stormed back. Martinez will be tested against an outstanding Spain attack during the World Cup final.
Four saves in win
Martinez recorded four saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Switzerland.
Analysis: Martinez made four saves across Saturday's 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland, producing back-to-back stops from Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka during Switzerland's sustained pressure spell in the second half before Ndoye's third attempt from a tight angle found the net underneath his outstretched leg for the equalizer. The goalkeeper will aim to produce a strong performance in the World Cup semifinal against England.
Concedes two goals
Martinez registered no saves and allowed two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 victory versus Egypt.
Analysis: Martinez conceded two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Egypt, beaten by Yasser Ibrahim's powerful header from Marwan Attia's delivery in the first half and then by Mostafa Zico's close-range finish from Haissem Hassan's inch-perfect cross in the second half, with both goals coming from direct and well-constructed Egyptian moves that exposed Argentina's defensive vulnerability on the counter-attack. The goalkeeper commanded his area on the occasions his backline gave him protection, and while the two goals conceded will raise questions about defensive organization heading into the quarterfinals, his composure in the final stages helped his side hold firm during Egypt's late push for an equalizer after falling 3-2 behind.
Allows two against Cape Verde
Martinez recorded three saves and allowed two goals in Friday's 3-2 win versus Cape Verde.
Analysis: Martinez did well to stop three shots Friday but was ultimately beaten twice in the win, not able to do much about either well-placed shot. He now remains with two clean sheets at the World Cup, unable to capture one in each of their past two games. They will now face Mohamed Salah and Egypt next, a player Martinez should be familiar with after years of playing against each other in the Premier League.
Avoids surgery on finger
Martinez (finger) revealed he chose not to undergo surgery on a fractured ring finger on his right hand in order to be available for the World Cup, and confirmed he will be able to play without a protective finger kit for the next match, according to his own statement, per Mundo Albiceleste. "I can now play without a finger kit for the next game. I decided not to have surgery. I had a bad time. I came here very prepared. I still haven't trained with the group, always with Martin Tocalli. The coach has always supported me and that has given me a lot of courage."
Analysis: Martinez acknowledged the difficulty of his situation but credited the support of coach Lionel Scaloni, goalkeeping coach Martin Tocalli, colleagues Geronimo Rulli and Juan Musso, and the medical staff for helping him through the recovery process. His decision to forego surgery reflects the importance he places on being available for the defending world champions, and his ability to now play without the protective kit is a significant step forward in his recovery heading into the knockout stage of the tournament.
Concedes once in win
Martinez had no saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Jordan.
Analysis: Martinez was largely untroubled in Saturday's 3-1 win over Jordan, conceding only Mousa Tamari's second-half goal after Jordan pulled one back from Ehsan Haddad's cross, and making no saves of note across 90 minutes as Argentina dominated with 73 percent of possession and limited Jordan to just five shots. The goalkeeper commanded his area throughout, and his consistent performances across three group games without a significant individual error give Argentina the goalkeeping certainty they will need heading into the knockout rounds against Cape Verde.
Clean sheet against Austria
Martinez recorded one save to go along with a clean sheet in Monday's 2-0 win over Austria.
Analysis: Martinez once again had a very quiet match, not making his first and only save until the second half as he earned a clean sheet. This now gives him two clean sheets in two games, only making one save thus far. He will now face Jordan in their group stage finale, a decent chance to earn three clean sheets in the group stage.
Keeps clean sheet in win
Martinez recorded no saves and allowed zero goals in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Algeria.
Analysis: Martinez was beaten inside the first 15 minutes but Algeria's goal was ruled out, and he didn't face a big threat the rest of the way. With upcoming games against Austria and Jordan, a scenario in which Martinez ends the group stage with three consecutive clean sheets can't be ruled out.
Starting as expected
Martinez (finger) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's clash against Algeria.
Analysis: Martinez will bounce back to action after missing Argentina's practice matches while he completed his rehabilitation from a small fracture. The goalkeeper will therefore be selected over Geronimo Rulli and Juan Musso throughout the tournament as long as he avoids further physical problems. In that case, Martinez could be reliable for fantasy output as his team has the potential to allow few goals at least in the initial fixtures, and he's usually a solid shot stopper when tested.
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