Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina against Benin this week(Image: Chris Carter)
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Emiliano Martinez revealed he needed a 'mental refresh' after losing the World Cup final with Argentina and that is one of the main reasons behind departing Aston Villa for Chelsea.
The Blues signed the 34-year-old goalkeeper towards the end of the summer transfer window after striking a £7.5million deal with Villa. Initially, the noises coming out from sources at Stamford Bridge said they were more than happy with their goalkeeper situation but the 3-2 win at Fulham on matchday one changed everything for Xabi Alonso.
Robert Sanchez was at fault for at least one of the two goals Chelsea conceded at Craven Cottage and Alonso acted swiftly. Following Villa's signing of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Martinez was available for a cut-price fee and the Blues decided to bring in the experienced Argentina international.
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After close to six years at Villa Park, it was a difficult decision for Martinez but one the goalkeeper felt he needed to make. Especially because of the suffering he felt in the aftermath of Argentina's narrow World Cup final defeat to Spain in July, with the South Americans denied their second successive world champions crown.
Speaking to TyC Sports, via Sports Witness, Martinez has lifted the lid on his move to Stamford Bridge to become Chelsea's No.1 goalkeeper. He said: "It took me a while to think; losing the World Cup final hurt a lot.
"I tried changing clubs to mentally refresh myself, and I succeeded. I came here, and it was the best thing I did because I feel useful, fast, and good. In the end, I have to represent my country, my family, and I have to do my best."
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez has started four Premier League games this season(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Martinez is preparing for a monumental day in Argentinian football history. Lionel Messi, who many consider to be the greatest footballer in the history of the sport, will play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday against Benin.
His compatriot Martinez is preparing for an emotional farewell: "We'll try to make sure he enjoys it as much as possible. We'll shower him with affection and kisses and make him happy.
"I tried to help him as much as I could. He knows it, we always talk about it.
"It was one of the greatest honours of my career, trying to help him achieve what he desperately wanted because he's the best player in history, and I feel like I'm part of that, thank God.
"On Tuesday, I want to see him enjoying himself and smiling."
Martinez is scheduled to return to Cobham later in the week and be part of the Chelsea squad that takes on Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. Since moving from Villa, the Argentine shot-stopper has started all four of the Blues' Premier League fixtures but has conceded an astonishing 10 goals in that time.
While Martinez has perhaps not started as well as he would have liked in a Chelsea shirt, the goalkeeper has not been helped at all by his defenders. Alonso said before the international break that the defensive side of the game is something that the Blues drastically need to improve.