Chelsea have confirmed their squad numbers for the 2020/21 campaign, with the club making a couple of changes to accommodate their five new signings.
Hakim Ziyech was the first to arrive at the club this summer and he has been given the No.22 shirt, which he wore in his first year at Ajax and then again two years later when Dusan Tadic was given his No.10 jersey.
Ziyech’s preferred number was vacated by Christian Pulisic, who wore it last for last campaign, and the American winger has now been handed the No.10 shirt after the exit of Willian.
The Brazilian winger was not the only player to leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer, with Pedro’s exit away from the club freeing up the No.11 to be given to Timo Werner.
But, He has some large boots to fill, with the No.11 famously worn by Didier Drogba during his outstanding career with the blues, while Oscar, Damien Duff, Zenden and Dennis Wise have all also worn the jersey.
And Thiago Silva has been given the No.6 shirt number by Frank Lampard, which suggests that he will be a regular player in the starting lineup.
The former PSG captain has worn the No.2 or No.3 in his career, both of which are already taken by Rudiger and Alonso respectively.
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Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell wore the No.3 for Leicester City but has to switch to the No.21 jersey, which has recently been worn by Davide Zappacosta.
Chelsea’s record signing Kai Havertz has been granted his wish to wear the No.29 jersey – which he wore throughout his career at German side Bayer Leverkusen – with Fikayo Tomori vacating the shirt number.
Although the defender is believed to be close to leaving Chelsea and potentially joining Everton on loan, he has given up the No.29 to Kai Havertz and will now wear No.14, which was previously worn by Tiemoue Bakayoko.
