Peter Crouch believes Emiliano Martinez is the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment, placing the Aston Villa star ahead of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.
Peter Crouch believes Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is the best in the world at the moment, with the former Liverpool striker placing him ahead of Alisson Becker.
Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for the second year running at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last month after helping Argentina to another trophy on the international stage during the summer. The 32-year-old added a second Copa America winner’s medal to his collection, having also played a starring role in his country’s World Cup triumph in 2022.
Alisson, though, is still considered by many to be the world’s best goalkeeper, especially by Liverpool fans. The Brazilian is currently out injured, having suffered another hamstring problem last month.
But when he is fit, Alisson has proven himself to be one of Liverpool’s most important players. Crouch, who played for both Liverpool and Villa during his playing career, believes Martinez edges him out at the moment, though.
“He [Martinez] is so good,” Crouch told TNT Sports. “He can be the pantomime villain at times, but he makes great saves.
“He is a huge personality and I always liked playing with goalkeepers like him, who are commanding in the box. He is more than a goalkeeper who makes saves, he is a personality. And I think that is huge to have in your squad.
“I would say he is the best in the world on the evidence I have seen in the last two years. He has won World Cups, and Villa haven’t challenged for the title, but they have taken huge strides and he has been instrumental.”
Despite Crouch’s glowing praise, Martinez couldn’t prevent Villa from falling to its first defeat in this season’s Champions League. The Argentine was involved in a bizarre incident as Club Brugge was awarded a penalty after Tyrone Mings picked the ball up in his own penalty area, not realizing that Martinez had taken a goal kick.
Despite Crouch’s glowing praise, Martinez couldn’t prevent Villa from falling to its first defeat in this season’s Champions League. The Argentine was involved in a bizarre incident as Club Brugge was awarded a penalty after Tyrone Mings picked the ball up in his own penalty area, not realizing that Martinez had taken a goal kick.