Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is now ‘one of the best’ in his position in the world thanks to his move to Villa Park.
Martinez joined Aston Villa in a £15.66m deal from Arsenal in September 2020 after ten years with the Gunners following a move from Independiente’s U20s.
He was never truly given his chance at the Emirates, instead spending the majority of his ten years at the club out on loan with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves, Getafe and Reading.
It was only at the end of his time with Arsenal that he earned his first team place, replacing the injured Bernd Leno and impressing at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Those performances saw Aston Villa pay out for him that summer and he’s since established himself as not only their first choice but also the number one for Argentina.
He is comfortably among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League but his former mentor Miguel Ángel Santoro, extends that to the world.
“His place at Villa makes him one of the best in the world in his position,” he told Continental.
“The change favoured him even though we are not talking about a club that fights for the title in England. It gives me enormous pride to see him shine in the Premier League.
“I see him as every Argentine. I’m very hopeful about him. He gives us a lot of confidence and security, and that’s essential for a team.
“He is one of our national team’s key players. I firmly believe in Dibu, and I hope he has a great tournament. Being as young as he is, I have no doubt that he will be one of the best goalkeepers at the World Cup.”
