{"id":3781,"date":"2026-09-08T17:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T17:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3781"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T17:45:16","slug":"player-chelsea-sold-for-just-16m-nominated-for-the-same-award-as-emi-martinez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3781","title":{"rendered":"Player Chelsea sold for just \u00a316m nominated for the same award as Emi Martinez"},"content":{"rendered":"


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New Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been nominated for the best goalkeeper award at the 2026 Ballon d\u2019Or, and is up against one player who came before him at Stamford Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues finally made the decision to strengthen the goalkeeper position and replace Robert Sanchez in order to give the best possible backing to Xabi Alonso<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Martinez<\/a> has impressed early in his Chelsea career, however fingers were pointed at him for not saving Kai Havertz\u2019s goal<\/a> for Arsenal on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Emi Martinez joined by former Chelsea goalkeeper on award shortlist<\/h2>\n

Nevertheless, the Blues have got one of the best in the world in the position in their squad now, and he has rightfully been nominated for the best goalkeeper award.<\/p>\n

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The Argentine has been joined on the list of nominees by former Chelsea<\/a> goalkeeper Edouard Mendy<\/a>, who left the Blues in 2023 for just \u00a316m.<\/p>\n

He currently features for Al-Ahli, where he is the club captain and one of the most experienced players at the age of 34.<\/p>\n

The Senegal international has kept 52 clean sheets in 120 games since moving over there, and has experience battling for individual awards from his time at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Mendy was the runner up for this trophy to Gianluigi Donnarumma, however picked up his own accolades following a sensational year which saw Chelsea win the Champions League.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s settle this, Chelsea are better off with Reece James at right-back\u2026 \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n

Do you prefer James in midfield or at right-back \u2013 and why?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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He won FIFA\u2019s best goalkeeper award in that year, while also being named the Champions League\u2019s \u2018keeper of the season.<\/p>\n

Mendy\u2019s brilliance took a long time for Chelsea to replace, and Sanchez was struggling to live up to the billing before he was forced out to Como.<\/p>\n

Many believe they have finally achieved this with Martinez, and he is set to don the gloves for the majority of the two years he has signed for.<\/p>\n

This will then clear the path for Mike Penders<\/a>, who is expected to gain experience in the cup competitions until he is ready to take over as the number one.<\/p>\n

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