Emiliano Martinez has swapped shirt numbers at Chelsea after just one match, giving up the No. 26 he wore on his debut to take the No. 1 jersey vacated by Robert Sanchez.
The Argentina goalkeeper completed a £7.5 million move from Aston Villa last week and wore No. 26 when he made his Chelsea debut in a 4-3 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
Sanchez's loan to Como frees up No. 1
Martinez's arrival led to Sanchez's departure from Chelsea, with the Spain international joining Italian side Como on loan on transfer deadline day. Chelsea confirmed Martinez has now taken the No. 1 shirt previously worn by Sanchez.
"Our summer signing originally took the No.26 shirt for the Blues and wore it in our 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge," Chelsea said in a statement. "However, due to Robert Sanchez's loan move to Como, the No.1 shirt has since become vacant and our Argentinian international has opted to take that number."
Chelsea added that Martinez has offered to sign any "Martinez 26" shirts bought through the club's official Megastore or official website. Supporters wishing to take up the offer must bring the shirt to Stamford Bridge along with proof of purchase by October 4.
Terry's blessing for No. 26
Martinez's decision to switch numbers comes despite Chelsea's former captain John Terry having given him his blessing to wear the No. 26 shirt Terry made famous during his own playing career at the club. Terry, who captained Chelsea to five Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League, wore the number 26 shirt throughout much of his career at Stamford Bridge.
Martinez said: "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. 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. The morning I signed, I texted him and said, 'I'm wearing your shirt, and I'm going to do it with pride'."
Terry hails 'signing of the summer'
Terry, who worked alongside Martinez during a spell at Aston Villa, had praised the goalkeeper's arrival at Chelsea last week after giving him the go-ahead to take the No. 26.
"Emi Martinez coming in the building, I think he has to be the signing of the summer. What a world class goalkeeper he is," Terry said. "If I had the choice of any goalkeeper in the world in terms of goalkeeper, he would be right at the very top for me."
"We signed him at Aston Villa from Arsenal and he was unbelievable, the confidence he shows, the way he trains, the influence he had on a group of players, the mindset is incredible," Terry added. "He is someone who wants to win every day, hates conceding goals in training, loves keeping clean sheets. Everything about this guy, trust me, is top, top."
"He's taking the 26 shirt, yes, we've given the green light, you can take the 26 shirt. You know why, because he loves keeping clean sheets as much as I did when I wore the 26 shirt. Hopefully that serves him well, what a keeper, what a player."
Previous owners of No. 26
Since Terry's retirement, Kalidou Koulibaly and Levi Colwill have both worn the No. 26 shirt at Chelsea. Colwill wore the number for one season before switching to No. 6.
