Former Aston Villa full-back Stephen Warnock has predicted that Emiliano Martinez will stay at the club this summer, despite reported interest from elsewhere.
The goalkeeper has been a key man for the team since moving from Arsenal in 2020. He has helped Villa to a seventh place finish as well as helping Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar in the winter.
It’s perhaps no surprise then that clubs are said to be showing an interest. Chelsea are reported to be keeping tabs on Martinez, while Villa are said to have rejected an offer from Inter Milan as they search for a replacement for Manchester United's Andre Onana.
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Villa, of course, are under no pressure to sell this summer, with Martinez having four years remaining on his contract with the club. If they are to cash in it would take a hefty price tag to even tempt Villa.
Warnock also believes that the prospect of having to replace such an influential player both on the pitch and in the dressing room is something that Villa would struggle to do. The former defender has therefore made a prediction over the goalkeeper’s future.
“What you notice when you are around the training ground and close to Emi Martinez, is the stature of the man, the size of him in goal,” he told Sky Sports during the coverage of the Premier League Summer Series.
“Also what he has got is this huge personality and character. He won the World Cup and got huge respect from his players as well.
“He isn’t irreplaceable, but he is going to be very hard to replace. There was a lot of talk about him leaving the club in the summer. I think that has quietly gone under the carpet now and it’s one of those situations where we think he will stay here. He is hugely influential for Aston Villa.”
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