Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Emi Martinez has come in for plenty of criticism since the Argentine arrived at Chelsea towards the end of the summer window. But actually, the stats prove he is doing everything he can.
Was Martinez to blame for Hull’s second goal in the 2-2 draw? He missed the cross and it led to Hull scoring a deflected effort. Could he have done better for Kai Havertz’s equaliser at Arsenal? Absolutely.
But Martinez has saved Chelsea more times than he thought he might have to already, since John Terry described his £7.5m arrival as the best signing of the summer. The stats prove criticism is unwarranted.
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Emi Martinez tops key Premier League stat with Chelsea
Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford currently sits top of the Premier League rankings for saves made (20), and save percentage (87%). Martinez has made a third-best 18 saves, with Lukas Hornicek second.
Given that Chelsea have conceded 10 goals in his four Premier League outings – he had not been signed in time for the opener against Fulham – Martinez’s save percentage is low. It is currently just 64.3%.
But it is Martinez’s saves per 90 stat that leaves his goalkeeping colleagues in the dust. Martinez, at the moment, is averaging a huge 4.5 saves every 90 minutes – which proves Martinez is saving Chelsea.
After the loss at Arsenal, Jamie Carragher said: “Martinez has been a brilliant goalkeeper, and he still is a very good goalkeeper. But he’s not the goalkeeper that won the World Cup four years ago.”
Instead, as some pundits like Carragher might suggest, is hindering the Blues. Martinez has kept Chelsea in games, most notably against Hull, pulling off two crucial stops to earn Chelsea a point this month.
Martinez’s saves per 90 stat is damning for Chelsea’s defence
While the stat proves that Martinez is giving Chelsea a fighting chance, it is more proof that Chelsea’s defence is far too leaky. It is now a run of 21 Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet.
The Blues defence need to do a much better job keeping the heat off Martinez. They are allowing far too many shots on goal, with Chelsea 15th in the league for shots against, and 20th for shots on target.
Is it a case of Alonso’s tactics proving too open? Is it Moises Caicedo’s absence? Is it a lack of work rate? The solution is probably a combination of all three, and finding the right combination of defenders.
Alonso now has the international break to work with the players that have remained at Cobham. Cole Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad on Monday, joining Joao Pedro in remaining at Chelsea.