Martínez, a 2026 World Cup finalist, was signed with high expectations and immediately installed as Chelsea’s first‑choice goalkeeper after Xabi Alonso’s appointment, replacing veteran Robert Sánchez between the posts.
His early impact has been measurable: he made four saves in Chelsea’s opening 4‑3 victory over Brighton and then produced eight saves in the London derby against Arsenal, the most recorded by any keeper on that Premier League matchday.
Despite Martínez’s individual contributions, the Blues’ defence remains porous – the team have yet to record a clean sheet this season and are conceding an average of 2.4 goals per match, a stark contrast to the more solid backlines of many rivals.
Statistical comparisons underline Martínez’s workload. Sofascore rates him with an average of 7.70, the highest of any Premier League goalkeeper so far, while Arsenal’s David Raya averages 1.8 saves per game and earned an 8.8 rating for a penalty save against Sunderland earlier in the campaign.
The data suggest that, even though Chelsea’s overall defensive record is poor, Martínez’s performances may justify the club’s relatively modest fee for the Argentine, positioning him as a potentially decisive signing if the team can tighten up at the back.