Emiliano Martinez has been open about how he felt after Argentina’s heartbreaking World Cup final defeat against Spain. He has said the disappointment contributed to his summer switch to Chelsea.
Martinez made a cut-price £7.5m move to the Blues after joining from Aston Villa in the closing stages of the transfer window. He signed a three-year contract.
Few would have expected the now-34-year-old, a World Cup winner and two-time Copa América winner, to leave Villa so soon after their Europa League triumph. Reports say, however, that he had been looking for a move for some time. Villa had signed Zion Suzuki and was open to selling him. A proposed move to Juventus fell through earlier in August.
From Villa Park hero to Chelsea number one
Martinez built his reputation at Villa Park after joining from Arsenal in 2020. His status as Argentina’s penalty shoot-out hero came after the 2022 World Cup final against France. This year he made a World Cup final record of 11 saves and won the Europa League with Villa in May. But Argentina lost the 2026 final 1-0 to Spain in extra time in New Jersey. The scars hadn’t quite faded.
Losing the World Cup final hurt a lot
Speaking to Argentine outlet TYC Sports during the international break, Martinez confessed the pain forced him to rethink his career.
“It took me a while to think; losing the World Cup final hurt a lot,” he said. “I tried changing clubs to mentally refresh myself, and I succeeded. I came here [to Chelsea], and it was the best thing I did because I feel useful, fast, and good.”
The veteran added that representing his country and family remains his driving force, vowing to “do my best” wherever he plays.
How the move unfolded
Chelsea had initially planned to persist with Robert Sanchez between the sticks this season. However, the Spaniard’s unconvincing display in the Premier League opener against Fulham prompted manager Xabi Alonso to act decisively. Martinez was drafted in and made his debut the same day in the win over Brighton, and Sanchez was sent out on a season-long loan to Cesc Fabregas’ Como in Italy.
Defensive woes persist at Stamford Bridge
Yet the Argentine’s arrival has hardly cured Chelsea’s defensive woes. After five league games, Alonso’s side had conceded 12 goals, more than any other Premier League team, a statistic that will concern supporters despite Martinez’s pedigree.
Schmeichel backs Martinez as signing of the season
Not everyone is worried, though. Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes the Blues have pulled off a masterstroke.
“I look at the list, and the one name which I don’t see is Emi Martinez, who, for me, could turn out to be the signing of the season,” Schmeichel said, while also questioning the “crazy amounts of money” swirling around the modern transfer market.
A mental reset in West London
For Martinez, the move represents more than a fresh challenge – it is a mental reset. After the agony of a World Cup final defeat, the goalkeeper is channelling his disappointment into a new chapter at Stamford Bridge.
Whether he can shore up Chelsea’s leaky defence remains to be seen, but his hunger is unmistakable. And if Schmeichel’s prediction rings true, the £7.5m fee could prove one of the bargains of the season.
