Chelsea's inability to keep clean sheets has become an increasingly pressing issue, with Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal marking the 19th consecutive Premier League match in which the Blues have conceded at least once. The result has intensified scrutiny on goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose performance against Arsenal drew sharp criticism from pundit Jamie Carragher.
Arsenal's opening goal, scored by Kai Havertz, came with Martinez appearing uncertain in his positioning and reaction, a moment that stood in contrast to the composed display of his counterpart David Raya at the other end. It was one of several shaky moments for the Argentine shot-stopper during the match, prompting Carragher to question whether Martinez still possesses the sharpness that once made him one of the world's premier goalkeepers.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Carragher did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting that the version of Martinez now at Chelsea is not the same player who starred for Argentina during their triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign.
"What you have to remember with Chelsea bringing this goalkeeper, I think the goalkeeper saves that two or three years ago," Carragher said, referencing Havertz's opener. "It is better for everyone that Sanchez is not in goal. It is not good for Chelsea, it is not good for Sanchez. He is not quite at the level. He's a good goalkeeper, not a great one, so you go and get someone who has been a great one and some people think he still is. But they are not bringing the goalkeeper that won the World Cup four or five years ago."
Martinez's heroics in Qatar remain a defining chapter of his career. He kept three clean sheets during that World Cup run and won the Golden Glove award for his contributions to Argentina's title-winning campaign. However, Carragher believes those days may now be behind him, at least in terms of the elite reflexes and instincts that once made him one of the most feared shot-stoppers in world football.
"(Signing Martinez) was not a mistake, they got him for £7.5m, it was a really good deal," Carragher continued. "He is still a really good goalkeeper and he is better than Sanchez. It'll make everyone feel a little more confident. I always worry with goals like (Havertz's), it isn't a mistake, that is just a goalkeeper who isn't quite as sharp as he once was. That is just a goalkeeper not reacting quick enough. Martinez is a very good goalkeeper and he still is a very good goalkeeper, but he's not the goalkeeper who won the World Cup four years ago."
Despite the criticism, Carragher was careful to frame his comments as a broader concern rather than outright condemnation, acknowledging that Martinez remains an upgrade over his predecessor at Stamford Bridge, Robert Sanchez. Still, the persistent defensive frailties at Chelsea, now stretching across nearly half a season's worth of matches, suggest the club's issues extend beyond just goalkeeping.
Chelsea do have alternatives waiting in the wings. Highly-rated young Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders remains in reserve and could be handed an opportunity to stake his claim when the Blues host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Whether that match offers any rotation in goal remains to be seen, but the growing conversation around Martinez's form ensures increased attention on Chelsea's goalkeeping situation heading into a busy period of fixtures.
For now, the Blues will be looking to arrest their worrying defensive run as they aim to finally register a clean sheet after nearly 20 games without one in the league.
Based on reporting from standard-football.