**Chelsea legend John Terry is delighted that his former club have secured the signature of Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez.**
Speaking on his YouTube channel (quotes via [_Metro_](https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/29/john-terry-claims-chelsea-made-best-signing-transfer-window-29489789)), Terry said that the Argentinian international was the one player he wanted the Blues to bring in above all others this summer:
“Emi Martinez coming in the building, I think, is the signing of the summer. What a world-class goalkeeper he is. If I had any choice of who I’d go and sign in the world, he would be right at the very top for me.”
Terry has first-hand experience working with Martinez, having been assistant manager when he moved to Villa in 2020:
“We signed him at Aston Villa from Arsenal, and he was unbelievable. The confidence he shows, the confidence he shows, the way he trains, the influence he has over the group of players, the mindset is incredible.”
Despite his move to Stamford Bridge only being made official on Sunday morning, he was registered in time to start the match against Brighton.
Martinez will clearly be the club’s undisputed number one going forward based on how quickly manager Xabi Alonso brought him into the starting lineup.
What does his arrival mean for other Chelsea goalkeepers?
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It looks like Robert Sanchez may have played his last game for the Blues. The [**disastrous performance against Fulham**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-player-ratings-fulham-3/) on the opening day appears to have been the final straw.
Alonso selected Mike Penders in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town last week, and it looks like the Belgian will be Martinez’s number two.
For that reason, Sanchez will have to decide whether to stick around and be third choice or to find himself a move (either on loan or on a permanent basis) before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.