Ex-manager of Emiliano Martinez Chris Wilder reveals all about the Argentinian’s time at Oxford United

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Emiliano Martinez produced an excellent World Cup final display to help Argentina over the line in winning their third World Cup, making a crucial one-on-one save in extra time to deny Randal Kolo Muani and saving a penalty in the shootout as Lionel Scaloni’s team won it 4-2, although the 30-year old Aston Villa goalkeeper did divide opinion for his antics during the shootout and after the match.

His confidence and high level of cockiness is something that he has always possessed with his former manager at Oxford United Chris Wilder full of praise and pleasure for Martinez about how far he has come since joining the U’s as a 19-year old ten years ago.

Wilder admitted that Martinez has always had that cheeky edge to him which was key to him performing well at such a young age.

I can’t really say I saw an incredible goalkeeper but when young players come down from the Premier League into League One or Two they have to have that swagger, they have to have that confidence, desire and faith in their ability. He certainly had that.

He’s a personality, he’s a character. All the best ones are… he’s now taken that to the international stage and truly believes he’s arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.

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“I don’t think anybody could deny him that at the moment.”

With Argentina’s victory over France in the final, Martinez became Aston Villa’s first World Cup winner and their first ever player to appear in a final of the tournament.

 

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