John Terry thinks Emi Martinez is the ‘signing of the summer’ and jokes about no.26 Chelsea shirt

A GOALKEEPER SIGNS! What are your first thoughts on Chelsea signing Emi Martinez? 🥳

Only £7.5m!

A bargain, but also a brilliant signing that adds some much-needed experience at Stamford Bridge. That, and it finally replaces the last glaring weakness at Chelsea, with Robert Sanchez increasingly error-prone.

Sanchez’s mistakes against Fulham proved to be too much, and it saw Chelsea delve into the market, just when it looked like Sanchez would remain as Alonso’s no.1 throughout 2026-27. John Terry is delighted.

John Terry delivers exciting verdict on Emi Martinez’s arrival

Speaking in his first interview as a Chelsea player, Martinez shared how he had spoken to both Petr Cech and Terry. He worked under Cech at Arsenal, and then with Terry at Aston Villa during his earlier years.

Now, Terry has taken to TikTok to share his delight at the signing of “world-class” Martinez. He claims if he could sign any goalkeeper, Martinez would be up there and joked he has given Martinez the 26 shirt.

Emi Martinez coming in the building, I think he has to be the signing of the summer. What a world-class goalkeeper he is. If I had any choice who I would sign in terms of a goalkeeper, he’d be right at the top.

We signed him at Aston Villa from Arsenal, and he was unbelievable – the confidence he showed, the way he trains, the influence he had over the group of players, the mindset; he wants to win day in, day out.

Hates conceding goals in training, loves keeping clean sheets. Everything, trust me, top. Excited to have him, great with his feet, great shot-stopper, but the thing I love the most is how he commands the box.

Takes the ball at the highest points and takes pressure off his defenders. He’s a really good signing. I actually spoke to him because I don’t know if anyone knows, but he’s taking the no.26 shirt,” Terry said.

“Yes, we have given the green light; he’s taking the 26 shirt, and do you know why? Because he loves keeping clean sheets as much as I did when I wore that shirt. Hopefully it serves him well. I am delighted.”

What else are Chelsea planning to do after Martinez?

Chelsea using Malo Gusto as makeshift midfielder highlights the need for a new central option. Enzo Fernandez is set to depart and Jordan Henderson remains injured, while Reece James often needs a rest.

CONFIRMED XI: Seven changes as Martinez starts against Brighton!

Romeo Lavia scored on Sunday, but more is required in midfield, and Lamine Camara remains a key target for the Blues in the final days of the window. Alex Scott continues to be touted with West London.

For now, however, if Chelsea entered the season with the squad they have then Alonso will be delighted. His side have added huge bouts of experience and some ready-man top tier quality, largely due to him.