Crystal Palace about to sign Emi Martinez's pale imitation from Ronaldo's Dutch club

By Alessandro Schiavone

Crystal Palace are close to completing the signing of an Argentina international on a free deal. That in itself should be exciting news given that the Albiceleste are the reigning world champions and lifted the last two Copa Americas.

And goalkeeper Walter Benitez himself won every possible trophy at stake in the Netherlands: two league titles, two Dutch Supercups and the KNVB Shield. In only three years.

Yet to English fans he's still best remembered for his horror show in the 7-1 mauling by Arsenal in the Champions League.

That night, three months ago, he was at the mercy of Martin Odegaard and responsible for playing the Norwegian back into confidence after a disastrous six-month spell.

First he made a pig's ear of Ethan Nwaneri byline delivery by parrying it straight into Odegaard's path for him to bury the loose ball in the box.

If that wasn't bad enough, minutes later he completely miscalculated the trajectory of the ex-Real Madrid boy wonder's central effort, making a move to his left and getting a weak hand to the ball which nestled it on the opposite side.

It was a real plight as Benitez was nowhere near keeping out the other five strikes.

Often late off his line. Or rooted to it while he could have narrowed the angle for Jurrien Timber's first-half headed goal.

It was a performance that left PSV fans and club far more concerned than relieved, regardless of how well he played at times in the mediocre Dutch league. That night the penny dropped among plenty of observers that he may not be cut out for the top level.

Hence Eagles should not expect a goalkeeper of Emiliano Martinez's stature to come through the Selhurst Park door.

Let alone someone with the talent to usurp the outstanding Dean Henderson, who is currently one of the hottest goalkeeping tickets in the capital. This will not be a firrcr Henderson-Sam Johnstone battle for the number one jersey in south London.

All things considered, a similar chasm than the one between the ex-Man United goalie and outgoing understudy Matt Turner separates the pair.

Palace are gambling on a gloveman whose career shows him capable of solid displays and dramatic setbacks. But those decent displays came in Ligue 1 with Nice and in the Eredivisie where he was rarely tested as PSV have been the team to beat since 2023.

And barring a dramatic reversal of circumstances, Benitez will be limited to some Carabao Cup displays with the FA Cup winners next term.