Emiliano Martinez has arrived at Chelsea with medals in his cabinet, a reputation built on big moments and one major ambition still driving him forward — winning the Premier League.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper has already conquered some of football’s biggest stages, lifting the FIFA World Cup, Copa America titles, the UEFA Europa League and the FA Cup, while also earning individual recognition among the world’s elite goalkeepers.
But for Martinez, the journey has never been about becoming comfortable with success.
It has been about remembering where he started.
The Argentine international believes the sacrifices made by his family during his childhood shaped the relentless mentality that has carried him from difficult beginnings to the summit of world football.
Now at Chelsea, Martinez sees another opportunity to chase greatness.
“I like to think about the past,” Martinez says. “I like to see where I’ve come from. It reminds me of the tireless work from my family and me. That’s my style. That’s how I approach life.
“I helped my family come from poverty into the life that we have now. My mum and dad worked 15 hours a day to give me this opportunity, and they helped inspire me. Everything today is for them.
“Chelsea are one of the best clubs in the world, not just in England. I’m super excited and I wanted that challenge.
“I attach my life to football. I live for football. I sleep for football. All I care about is having a good family and winning football matches, and now I get to do that for Chelsea.”
Martinez wasted little time making an impression following his move to Stamford Bridge, making his Chelsea debut in the Blues’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Yet the goalkeeper is already looking beyond a promising start.
For a player who has won almost everything at international level, the Premier League represents another mountain waiting to be climbed.
Martinez believes his mentality and Chelsea’s trophy-driven culture make the partnership a natural fit.
“Chelsea and I have a winning mentality,” he continues. “I think we connect in that sense. It’s all about winning. Win or nothing, and I have won everything as an international and as an individual goalkeeper.
“I’ve been in England for nearly 17 years and now, for me, it’s about winning the Premier League. That’s what is missing in my beautiful career.
“I have come to a club where winning is a priority. And for me, trophies are such a priority. It’s the perfect match.”
Martinez’s influence, however, is expected to stretch far beyond spectacular saves.
The experienced goalkeeper wants to become a reassuring presence behind Chelsea’s defence — a player his teammates can trust when pressure rises and matches are on the line.
“I want my team-mates to look back and feel, “Oh, Emi’s there”. I want them to trust me. I want to give them that peace from the back so they can play free. My role is to help them as much as I can. I want to protect them.
“When you see the Chelsea squad and the size of the club, it just speaks for itself. We’ve got wonderful talent up front, wonderful players at the club, experienced players. So that mix can really help us move forward as a club.”
Martinez has also been reunited with Morgan Rogers following their time together at Aston Villa, while he reserved special praise for the England international and Chelsea star Cole Palmer.
“It’s great to see the likes of Morgan [Rogers] again,” Martinez smiles. “He’s such a brilliant talent that I saw coming through from Middlesbrough to Aston Villa.
“He’s developed so much in his game. And for me, he’s the best English forward alongside Cole (Palmer) – the best two English players.”
For Martinez, though, the message to Chelsea supporters is simple: expect commitment, personality and an obsession with winning.
“I’m going to give 100 per cent for Chelsea with pride. I’m going to try and win games, keep clean sheets, and get Stamford Bridge rocking.
“It’s a huge club, and I won’t be happy with draws or losing, so I think I’ll have a connection with the fans. All I want to do is win games.”
Chelsea have signed more than an experienced goalkeeper.
If Martinez delivers on his words, they may have added another powerful winning voice to a squad determined to bring trophies back to Stamford Bridge.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
