New Season, New Squad Numbers For Chelsea Players.

Chelsea have on Tuesday, confirmed new squad numbers for the 2023/2024 season.

Todd Boehly who replaced Roman Abramovich as the club's majority owner in the summer of 2022, has seen a significant squad turnover during his first 12 months at the helm, with over £700million being spent on transfer, with three managers (Tuchel, Lampard) and well over 20 players departing the club on a permanent basis.

A disappointing 2022/23 campaign exposed the need for many things to change with one of those arriving in the form of Mauricio Pochettino who was appointed the Blues' new manager earlier this summer. 

Following the departure of several players from Stamford Bridge, squad numbers were also vacated, and that has resulted in several players switching numbers ahead of the new season.

Christopher Nkunku was the first new arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer and the France international has taken the number 18 shirt. 

Defender Axel Disasi completed a switch from Monaco last week and has taken the number 2 shirt. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, signed from Brighton, will wear number 31.

Malo Gusto, who joined up with the squad this summer after a January move from Lyon, has taken the number 27. Young midfielders Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu will wear number 20 and number 16 respectively.

Raheem Sterling becomes the new No.7 after the England international wore 17 last season since his move from Man City, and winger Mykhailo Mudryk moves from 15 to 10.

Two notable selections involve 2018 World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, and forward Nicolas Jackson who have both taken No. 8 and 15 respectively, which are the the iconic numbers previously worn by club legends Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

The legendary duo combined for some of the Blues' greatest moments in the 21st century with both playing prominent roles in the 2012 Champions League triumph.

Shirt No. 15 was the first number selected by the Ivory Coast forward Drogba when he initially arrived in west London from Marseille. 

Furthermore, Noni Madueke has opted for the number 11 shirt ahead of the new campaign. Marc Cucurella will wear 3; Benoit Badiashile 5; Carney Chukwuemeka 17; and Armando Broja has switched to 19.

Levi Colwill, who last week signed a new six-year contract, has taken on the number 26 shirt made famous at Chelsea by fellow Academy graduate John Terry.

New boss Pochettino is just a few days away from his first competitive game in charge of Chelsea as they take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on August 13.

Picking a new captain is one decision awaiting the Argentine, and former Tottenham and PSG boss this week.

Chelsea’s 2023/24 squad numbers in full:

1 – Kepa Arrizabalaga

2 – Axel Disasi

3 – Marc Cucurella

5 – Benoit Badiashile

6 – Thiago Silva

7 – Raheem Sterling

8 – Enzo Fernandez

10 – Mykhailo Mudryk

11 – Noni Madueke

13 – Marcus Bettinelli

14 – Trevoh Chalobah

15 – Nicolas Jackson

16 – Lesley Ugochukwu

17 – Carney Chukwuemeka

18 – Christopher Nkunku

19 – Armando Broja

20 – Andrey Santos

21 – Ben Chilwell

23 – Conor Gallagher

24 – Reece James

26 – Levi Colwill

27 – Malo Gusto

29 – Ian Maatsen

31 – Robert Sanchez

33 – Wesley Fofana

37 – Mason Burstow

47 – Lucas Bergstrom

50 – Eddie Beach

67 – Lewis Hall