Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea v Morecambe - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez capped off a strong international break with a clean sheet in Lionel Messi’s final game for Argentina against Benin.
The World Cup finalists won 3-0, with Messi finding the net from the penalty spot to spark wild celebrations in his home country.
Martinez was already one of the big winners of the international break at Chelsea, before making it three clean sheets in as many outings despite him being yet to keep one for his club.
Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔
Let us know your reasoning! 👇
Some games, I think it’s pointless. At home against low blocks, I’d rather see Estevao in a four-man attack than an extra centre-back in a five-man defence.
Yes for a reset , for recovery also because the season is a long one
philchristie1955
With regard to the defence, any decent team has a solid and regular one who mostly play week in, week out. I think it has to be Colwill and Lacroix and I would prefer Josh or Reece ahead of Fofana
Emi Martinez receives 10/10 rating in Lionel Messi’s final game
TYCSports handed Martinez, as well as every other Argentine player a 10/10 in their player ratings for the game. This is because Messi donned the iconic number 10 on the back of his shirt. There was also a special ovation for the forward 10 minutes into the game.
In truth, the shot stopper’s actual performance was hardly worthy of this rating. He was forced to make just two saves as Argentina dominated the game.
When in possession, his passing was very strong. He completed 93% of his passes throughout the game, an area which has raised questions during his brief time at Chelsea.
Martinez had already received a standing ovation during the international break, and will be hoping to transfer some of those performances to his new club soon.
He remains the clear first-choice at Stamford Bridge ahead of Mike Penders, who was also away with his nation during the break, however will no doubt have been hoping to have a more positive influence than he has managed so far.
Martinez has picked up criticism throughout the early stages of the season, with many thinking the goalkeeping woes at the club were going to come to an end after replacing Robert Sanchez.
This is yet to fully happen, however despite the travel involved in representing his country, Chelsea will be delighted that he has not had to work too hard during his time away.