In a recent report, The Daily Mail claimed that Aston Villa could cash in on Emiliano Martinez. It has been revealed that the Villans are looking to entertain offers for their star keeper during the summer transfer period.
Martinez’s Up And Down Season In Club And International Football
Martinez is having a campaign of mixed emotions as he has won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina but has failed to help the Villans be consistent in the Premier League. The Argentina international has shipped in 32 goals and secured just five clean sheets in 22 matches for the West Midlands club this season in various competitions.
However, the former Arsenal keeper has done well to average 0.6 clearances and 6.4 long balls per game in the Premier League. The 30-year-old has to find a way to improve his accuracy when distributing the ball from the back after he completed only 70.3% of his attempted passes in the English top flight (stats via whoscored).
Martinez’s current contract at Villa Park is set to expire in the summer of 2027. Thus, there is no immediate need for Aston Villa to cash in on him.
Should Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery Cut Martinez Loose In The Summer?
Martinez can be a safe pair of hands in goal when he is playing well on the pitch. He excels at stopping penalties and can also pull off a few world-class saves for his team at the back.
The Argentine custodian is not that great with the ball at his feet but doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed. However, he needs to find a way to improve his passing accuracy if he wants to keep playing a prominent role at the highest level.
At the moment, Martinez remains Aston Villa boss Unai Emery‘s first-choice keeper. However, he has struggled to help the Villans pick up a run of favourable results in the Premier League. At 30, Martinez is a keeper who is playing in his prime and could play a key role at Villa Park.
Still, the West Midlands club should only consider cashing in on him but only if they can find a suitable replacement for him first. His market value could be at an all-time high in the summer following his recent success with Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Thus, Emery should think about cutting him loose, especially if receives a big offer for his services during the summer transfer window.