Noel Whelan has urged Unai Emery to patch up his relationship with Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez amid new speculation on a potential exit.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 30-year-old will be “crucial” if the Spaniard wants to make the Midlands giants a “top-six side”.
According to Calciomercato Web (12 December), Martinez is a target for Italian giants Juventus amid uncertainty over the future of number one goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Emi Martinez's task list
– Save a penalty
– Show off dance moves— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 9, 2022
Football Insider revealed last month (28 November) that the shot stopper’s long-term future at Aston Villa is under threat amid continued friction with Emery which dates back to their time together at Arsenal.
The former Gunners ace has been in inspired form for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar – and helped his nation secure a semi-final place by saving two shoot-out penalties in the win over the Netherlands.
Martinez failed to make a single league appearance under Emery at Arsenal – but has gone on to become one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers at Villa Park.
Whelan claimed a replacement for the 30-year-old would be “very hard to come by”.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’re both grown men.
“You’re always going to have these kinds of disputes between players and managers, it’s just up to them now to put it behind them.
“For the good of the football club, and in order to have success – they’ve got to put it behind them.
“Unai Emery has got to realise what a talented goalkeeper he has now.
“A good keeper like Martinez is very hard to come by.
“Yes, you’d get a big fee by selling him on because of his contract and his performances – but he’ll be crucial if Villa want to become a top-six side.”
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By: Noel Whelan
Title: Pundit on Aston Villa selling Martinez after dressing room reveal – ‘Emery has got to’
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-on-aston-villa-potentially-selling-emiliano-martinez-after-dressing-room-reveal-emery-has-got-to/
Published Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:08:46 +0000
