Darren Bent, the former Aston Villa striker, has made a persuasive case for Chelsea to consider acquiring Emiliano Martinez, the Villa goalkeeper who was recently honoured as the world’s best by FIFA. This suggestion comes at a crucial juncture in the Premier League season, with Chelsea currently sitting in second place, just behind league leaders Liverpool, as they seek to bolster their squad for a serious title challenge.
Bent speculates that should Aston Villa fail to secure a Champions League berth, they might be open to parting ways with Martinez, despite his recent contract renewal. He remarked, "I wonder if Aston Villa don't get back in the Champions League. I know he [Martinez] signed a new contract, but could he go? The fact is he could play for almost any team he wanted to. Chelsea could get him,” during a discussion on talkSPORT.
While Chelsea have shown commendable form this season, manager Enzo Maresca has been careful to manage expectations regarding their title ambitions. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has echoed this sentiment, raising concerns about Chelsea's defensive setup. He stated, "I still look at the goalkeeper and two centre backs, Badiashile who played today, and I just think I can't see someone winning the Premier League with that goalkeeper and without a real standout centre back." Carragher further noted that Chelsea appears "a little bit short in those areas" when it comes to competing for the title.
Martinez’s accolades as the best goalkeeper in the world for both 2022 and 2024 underscore his potential impact at Chelsea. Although Chelsea’s current goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, boasts superior statistics this season, including a higher save percentage and more clean sheets than Martinez, the latter's abilities could be even more pronounced in a system that faces fewer quality attacking threats.
In a recent match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, it was Martinez's exceptional save that turned the tide, prompting Bent to enthusiastically declare, "Emi Martinez, you little dancer." This moment exemplifies the kind of game-changing presence Martinez brings to the pitch.
Bent has also commented on other dynamics within the Premier League, suggesting that Manchester City would not see "the same Cole Palmer" if he were to return under Pep Guardiola, hinting at the limitations on player development within Guardiola's framework. Additionally, he has critiqued Gareth Southgate for misleading the public regarding Benjamin White's exclusion from the England squad and has encouraged Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher to consider a move away from Anfield, with Chelsea reportedly interested.
In a broader context, Bent has alerted Manchester United to potential hurdles in their pursuit of Thomas Tuchel, reflecting the ongoing shifts and strategies that characterise the Premier League landscape. As the season progresses, the implications of these discussions could significantly influence the ambitions of clubs like Chelsea and Aston Villa.