Aston Villa could be tempted to accept ‘ridiculous’ Emi Martinez bid
Dan Bardell has suggested that neither Aston Villa nor Emi Martinez would entertain a bid from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
A report from Sports Lens (9 May) suggested that the Blues were showing an interest in the Argentine international goalkeeper.
Martinez is one of the Villans’ most important players and as a result, a serious bid would have to be tabled to be considered.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes if Villa didn’t, then the goalkeeper would turn down a move to the capital himself.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “If Chelsea were to offer ridiculous money it may tempt Villa because PSR is a thing and is a worry. I don’t think there’s any sort of offer where Martinez would want to go and I don’t really think that Villa would entertain anything.
“I would say there is more chance of me signing to be back up to Emi Martinez than Martinez signing for Chelsea. He isn’t going to go and he certainly isn’t going to go there.
“He wants to be playing at the highest level. The highest level is Premier League and Champions League and Chelsea aren’t going to be in the Champions League.
“He’s still got plenty of time as well and I’d actually expect him to sign a new contract and be rewarded which is something that Villa have been really good at. No way Emi Martinez, one, goes to Chelsea and two, would even entertain it himself.
“I believe he’s very happy at Villa. Martinez has been sensational for Aston Villa, he’s the best player in the world but Villa have also been sensational for Emi Martinez and the platform they’ve given him.”
Could Aston Villa sell Emi Martinez?
There is no doubt that Martinez is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world right now. You don’t win the Yashin Award for no reason.
He has won a Copa America and a World Cup with Argentina and now he has his sights set on a trophy at Villa Park.
His individual stats this season are superb with 12.6 per cent of crosses stopped, 2.20 defensive actions outside his area and an average distance of 17.70 yards for defensive actions per 90 [Fbref]. These rank him in the top seven per cent and higher of all goalkeepers in Europe.
On the ball, he is also very comfortable which sees him take 45.18 touches per 90 while launching the ball just 23.6 per cent of the time.
With all that being said, he has kept just eight clean sheets in his 34 appearances [FotMob] which will be frustrating to the Argentine.
He is up there with Aston Villa’s best and most important players and can not be sold over the summer.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery mooted to sign Reinildo on a cut-price deal in a tactical approach change.
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