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Chelsea 2026/27 Squad Numbers: Joao Pedro Takes No 9

Chelsea’s new season shirts are set – and a few numbers tell their own story.

The club has locked in its squad list for 2026/27, with most of last year’s group keeping their familiar shirts. But the headline change sits right at the top of the pitch.

Joao Pedro takes on the No 9

Joao Pedro has moved from 20 to the iconic No 9, stepping into a shirt that has weighed heavily on plenty of Chelsea forwards in the past. That number belonged to Liam Delap last season; the England striker now shifts to 12.

At the back, Wesley Fofana has taken over the No 3 shirt vacated by Marc Cucurella after his move to Real Madrid. That switch frees up 29 for summer arrival Pep Chavarria.

Defensive reshuffle and single-digit statements

Tosin Adarabioyo, previously in No 4, has been handed 38. The No 4 shirt now goes to new signing Valentin Barco, a clear sign of the trust placed in the young defender.

Two more new faces walk straight into single digits. Marco Palestra claims No 2, while Maxence Lacroix takes No 5, the number worn last season by Benoit Badiashile.

The consequences are stark for some. Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Marc Guiu, all left out of pre-season, have not been given squad numbers at all.

Henderson steps into 14, Rogers gets 17

In midfield, Dario Essugo has switched from 14 to 16, clearing the way for Jordan Henderson to pull on the No 14 shirt after his arrival.

Club-record signing Morgan Rogers inherits 17, the number vacated by Andrey Santos following his move to Manchester United.

Chelsea have also rewarded several academy products. Reggie Watson, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Tayo Subuloye have been given 31, 32 and 37 respectively after eye-catching performances on the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia. Whether that translates into permanent first-team promotion remains to be seen, but the door is clearly open for Xabi Alonso to use them.

Chelsea 2026/27 squad numbers in full

  • 1 – Robert Sanchez
  • 2 – Marco Palestra
  • 3 – Wesley Fofana
  • 4 – Valentin Barco
  • 5 – Maxence Lacroix
  • 6 – Levi Colwill
  • 7 – Pedro Neto
  • 8 – Enzo Fernandez
  • 9 – Joao Pedro
  • 10 – Cole Palmer
  • 11 – Jamie Gittens
  • 12 – Liam Delap
  • 14 – Jordan Henderson
  • 15 – Nicolas Jackson
  • 16 – Dario Essugo
  • 17 – Morgan Rogers
  • 18 – Danny Welbeck
  • 19 – Mamadou Sarr
  • 21 – Jorrel Hato
  • 22 – Emmanuel Emegha
  • 23 – Geovany Quenda
  • 24 – Reece James
  • 25 – Moises Caicedo
  • 27 – Malo Gusto
  • 28 – Teddy Sharman-Lowe
  • 29 – Pep Chavarria
  • 30 – Aaron Anselmino
  • 31 – Reggie Watson
  • 32 – Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli
  • 33 – Mykhailo Mudryk
  • 34 – Josh Acheampong
  • 37 – Tayo Subuloye
  • 38 – Tosin Adarabioyo
  • 39 – Mike Penders
  • 41 – Estevao Willian
  • 44 – Gaga Slonina

The shirts are printed, the numbers are fixed. Now the question is simple: who grows into their new identity fastest when the season starts?

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