Emiliano Martinez recently opened up about his conversation with Chelsea icon John Terry before finalizing his transfer to the club. The Argentine goalkeeper officially signed with Chelsea from Aston Villa on Sunday morning, in a deal valued at £7.5 million. Just hours after the announcement, he made his debut, contributing to Chelsea's thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, marking a successful start to his tenure with the Blues.
During the match against Brighton, Martinez showcased his skills with several crucial saves, despite conceding three goals. His performance was notable for a first appearance in a Chelsea shirt, indicating his potential impact on the squad. Wearing the number 26 jersey, a number steeped in Chelsea history, Martinez is now part of a select group of players who have donned this iconic shirt, which was famously worn by Terry himself.
In discussing his choice of the number 26, Martinez acknowledged its significance, stating, "I remember using the 26 on loan a few times with previous clubs, and of course I knew John Terry famously had the 26 here." He emphasized the importance of Terry's endorsement in his decision to join Chelsea, recalling, "John was someone I spoke to before I joined, and he said he was over the moon to have me here. From our time together at Aston Villa, he knows how hard I work and what I can bring to Chelsea. JT really helped me with my decision." He added, "The morning I signed, I texted him and said, ‘I’m wearing your shirt, and I’m going to do it with pride.’"
Terry, who spent a significant amount of time at Aston Villa as both a player and assistant coach, had a close working relationship with Martinez. He expressed high regard for the goalkeeper, labeling him as "the signing of the summer" during a discussion on his YouTube channel. Terry praised Martinez, stating, "Everything about this guy, trust me, is top, top, top." Such endorsements from a player of Terry's caliber undoubtedly bolster Martinez's confidence as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.
The transfer to Chelsea was somewhat unexpected, as Martinez was initially on the verge of joining Juventus before that deal fell through in mid-August. Following the arrival of a replacement goalkeeper at Villa, Martinez found himself in a precarious position. However, Chelsea's interest in him emerged late in August, likely influenced by Robert Sanchez's lackluster performance in the season opener against Fulham, where he conceded two avoidable goals. Sanchez has since been loaned out to Serie A side Como, paving the way for Martinez to take over as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper.
Now, as the primary goalkeeper for Chelsea, Martinez will be expected to lead the defense, while young talent Mike Penders serves as the backup. Penders is anticipated to gain valuable experience, particularly in cup competitions. Meanwhile, Teddy Sharman-Lowe is positioned as the third-choice goalkeeper, although he may face competition from Gabriel Slonina, who remains at Chelsea after failing to secure a transfer before the deadline.
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