Chelsea FC drop transfer hints as shirt numbers revealed for 2026-27 season

Chelsea have dropped a number of transfer hints after they confirmed their squad shirt numbers for the 2026-27 season.

The Blues are set to undergo their first campaign under new boss Xabi Alonso, who has made several new signings to strengthen his ranks.

There are also a number of players who the Spaniard would like to see leave the club, in order to free up space for more potential incomings.

The most notable change is that Joao Pedro has been handed the No9 shirt for this term, replacing last summer’s new striker Liam Delap, who moves to No12.

It cements the Brazilian as Alonso’s first-choice centre-forward for the campaign, and that is something that has been expected after his 15-goal haul in 35 Premier League games last season after his £60million arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Nicolas Jackson is back after his loan spell at Bayern Munich although there remains doubts over his future at Stamford Bridge, but he assumes his No15, while new signing from sister club Strasbourg, Valentin Barco, has taken the No4 shirt, which was previously worn by Tosin Adarabioyo.

Tosin, still at the club, has been shifted to No38 in perhaps another sign that his future lies away from west London.

Fellow new recruits Morgan Rogers and Danny Welbeck have been handed No17 and No18 respectively, while Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda, who also arrived this summer to complete their pre-agreed moves, have been given No22 and No23.

Left wing-back Pep Chavarria takes No29, taking over from centre-back Wesley Fofana who has moved to No3.

Versatile defender Marco Palestra has been given No2, and Maxence Lacroix is handed No5, which has been vacated by Benoit Badiashile, who closes in on a loan move to Napoli.

Jordan Henderson is given the No14 after his arrival from Brentford, while the returning Mykhailo Mudryk, who wore No10 before his ban, comes back with No33.