Martinez Switches Chelsea Shirt Number After One Game, Takes No. 1

Emiliano Martinez has switched his Chelsea squad number to one after just one appearance for the club. The Argentine goalkeeper, who joined Chelsea for £7.5 million from Aston Villa last week, will now wear the No. 1 shirt.

Martinez initially wore the No. 26 shirt, famously associated with former Chelsea captain John Terry, for his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion. Following the loan move of Robert Sanchez to Como on deadline day, the No. 1 shirt became vacant. Chelsea confirmed that Martinez has opted to take this number.

"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 stated. "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."

Supporters who purchased a "Martinez 26" shirt through official club channels can arrange to have it signed by Martinez. They must bring the shirt and proof of purchase to Stamford Bridge by October 4.

Martinez had previously sought and received John Terry's blessing to wear the No. 26 shirt. He had expressed his intention to wear the number with pride, noting his past use of it with other clubs and Terry's approval.

"John was someone I spoke to before I joined, and he said he was over the moon to have me here," Martinez said. "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 had publicly lauded Martinez's signing, calling him a "world-class goalkeeper" and potentially the "signing of the summer." Terry recalled Martinez's impact at Aston Villa and expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that Martinez "wants to win every day" and "hates conceding goals in training."

Since Terry's retirement, the No. 26 shirt has also been worn by Kalidou Koulibaly and Levi Colwill. Colwill wore it for one season before switching to the No. 6 shirt.