Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea brought a new concern for Lisandro Martínez. The Argentine defender was sent off at Stamford Bridge after conceding a penalty and receiving his second yellow card, a performance that deepened the questions about his current form in the Premier League.

However, the controversy did not end with the match. Michael Cox, a journalist for The Athletic, published a scathing analysis of the world champion's performance and used a phrase that quickly drew attention: “Martínez has been the worst player in the Premier League so far in the 2026-27 season”.

The criticism that shook Lisandro Martínez in England

In his column, Cox reviewed different performances by the Argentine to explain why he reached such a conclusion. Among the episodes mentioned were the own goal against Fulham, his defensive difficulties against Tottenham and Bournemouth, and the errors he made in the match against Ipswich.

Regarding the match against Tottenham, the journalist particularly questioned the way Martínez defended Dominic Solanke, who found space to score the equalizer. “It was strange to watch”, Cox wrote as he described one of the plays he used to support his analysis.

The defeat against Bournemouth also came up in the review. Cox pointed out that the Argentine once again focused too much on his opponent’s movement and lost sight of the ball. According to his interpretation, it was a situation similar to the one he had been involved in against Solanke.

A world champion who managed to win over Old Trafford

Beyond the criticism he is going through at this moment, it is impossible to ignore the level Lisandro Martínez has shown since his arrival at Manchester United. The Argentine defender quickly became one of the fans' favorites and was part of the team that won the Carabao Cup in his first season. Since joining in 2022, he has made more than 90 appearances in a United shirt, in addition to scoring important goals, including one in the Champions League this season. The club itself describes him as a strong defender, with the ability to play out from the back and experience at the highest level, having been a world champion and a South American champion with Argentina.

That is why Cox's criticism carries even more weight: it is not aimed at an unknown or little-proven player, but at a footballer who during his first years at Old Trafford managed to earn a place among the important names in the squad. Injuries, however, interrupted his continuity—particularly during the 2023/24 season, when he was only able to play 14 matches—and now his inconsistent present has once again put him under the microscope.

The phrase that casts doubt on his future at Manchester United

The most recent match against Chelsea only intensified the debate. Martínez received a second yellow card after a foul on Wesley Fofana during a corner kick. The play led to a penalty that Cole Palmer converted to make the final score 2-0.

Cox was especially critical of that play and wrote: “He chose to ignore the concept of the ball when defending a corner kick.” But his questioning did not remain only in football analysis. The journalist also cast doubt on whether the defender should continue as a starter.

United cannot field a player who constantly costs them points with mistakes that, more than anything, demonstrate his lack of commitment

Cox

The conclusion was even more forceful when he referred to the Argentine's future: “It seems unlikely that Martínez will still be at United at this time next year”. Among the possible destinations he mentioned was Atlético de Madrid, where he could reunite with Cristian Romero, another Argentine defender who also received criticism during his time in English football.