Chelsea have officially confirmed their squad numbers for the 2025-26 season, with several notable changes ahead of the campaign’s opening fixture. The announcement reveals a significant reshuffling across the roster, with multiple players taking on new digits for the upcoming campaign.
The most striking development involves João Pedro’s switch to the club’s number nine shirt, previously worn by Liam Delap. The move represents a considerable gamble for the Portuguese winger, as the position carries a troubling historical record at Stamford Bridge. Since Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink’s prolific 2001-02 campaign, subsequent number nine wearers have struggled significantly. Notable predecessors including Fernando Torres, Álvaro Morata, and Romelu Lukaku all faced difficulties in the role, with no player managing to replicate Hasselbaink’s success. Tammy Abraham holds the modern benchmark with 15 league goals during the 2019-20 season.
Beyond João Pedro’s assignment, other changes include Wesley Fofana moving to number three, previously worn by Marc Cucurella, while Pep Chavarría assumes Fofana’s former number 29. Dário Essugo and Tosin Adarabioyo have also received new squad numbers as part of the wider restructuring. The club confirmed that further changes remain possible, with over ten days remaining in the transfer window before final squad registrations are submitted.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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