Shirt number 9 has in football history been the one most associated with goalscorers and heavy strikers. But when the number became available for the season, no one at Chelsea wanted the shirt.
It is said that there is a curse on jersey number 9.
Apart from Romelu Lukaku, world-class players such as Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain have underperformed at the Premier League club in recent times with the number on their back.
The Belgian Lukaku left the club last summer and now there is a lack of a number 9 in Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel admits that no one wants to play in the number 9 at Chelsea. Archive image.
“It’s not like we saved it for tactical reasons or for any player who is on his way in,” says coach Thomas Tuchel, according to The Guardian.
Goal scorers Kai Havertz and Mason Mount have kept 29 and 19 respectively as their numbers. Prestige acquisition Raheem Sterling has taken shirt number 17.
“No one asked for number 9. Players sometimes want to change numbers, but no one wants to take it, which is a little surprising,” he continues.
Tuchel says he was told of the reluctance to wear the number 9 from players and managers who have been at the club longer than him, who joined Chelsea last year.
“I’m also superstitious, so I can understand why some players don’t want nine but choose another number,” he notes.
Chelsea open the Premier League season on Saturday away to Everton.