Emi Martinez has ‘pushed the borders’, Aston Villa star deserves Yashin Trophy award
Aston Villa star Emi Martinez deserves his second successive Yashin Trophy for “pushing the borders” of goalkeeping, according to Ian Darke.
Martinez retained the global goalkeeping award at the Ballon D’Or ceremony earlier this week, having become the first stopper to scoop the silverware twice.
TNT Sports commentator Darke insists the Argentine deserves the acclaim and discusses what he has contributed to the art of goalkeeping.
“He’s pretty deserving of it – he’s almost taken goalkeeping and pushed the borders back in terms of what they might be able to do,” Darke exclusively told Villa News.
“He has an aura and charisma about him which might affect opponents. You can argue whether he’s the best in the world or in the Premier League. Alisson, Ederson… it’s subjective.
“But I don’t think anyone could give an extended argument on whether he’s the world’s best goalkeeper. No one used to hail him as some kind of big, huge talent, but he’s taken his career to a new level.”
Aston Villa ace Emi Martinez named world’s best number one again
Villa fans’ love for their number one continues to grow as he becomes the first ‘keeper to retain the Yashin Trophy award, founded in 2019.
Liverpool’s Alisson is the only other goalkeeper to win the prize while playing in the Premier League, while Manchester City man Ederson has been nominated four times without being named as the outright winner.
Martinez overcame Unai Simon (Athletic Club de Bilbao) and Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid) to retain the honour.
In other Aston Villa news, a La Liga forward has perked Unai Emery’s interest.
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