Several new numbers have been handed out following arrivals and departures at Chelsea.
Chelsea's pre-season is almost over after they played their final warm-up fixture. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea
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During Chelsea's pre-season win over Real Sociedad, shirt number changes were on display, and several were spotted.
Xabi Alonso's side played in front of the Stamford Bridge crowd on Saturday afternoon and claimed a 3-1 win to conclude their preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea are yet to confirm their official squad numbers, so confirmation of what numbers players will wear on the back will have to wait. However, initial selections during the six matches have been noted, especially given this summer's departures.
Danny Welbeck wore the number 18 shirt during the Asia part of the tour. Morgan Rogers has been confirmed to have taken the number 17 shirt, which Andrey Santos wore before leaving for Manchester United.
Marco Palestra has been assigned the number 2 shirt after his signing from Atalanta, replacing Axel Disasi, who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer.
The Real Sociedad match offered an insight into potential new numbers for the 2026/27 season.
New Chelsea shirt numbers indicate potential transfer exits
Wesley Fofana wore the number 29 shirt at Chelsea last season. However, following Marc Cucurella's transfer to Real Madrid, Fofana wore the number 3 shirt against Real Sociedad, hinting at a number change.
New arrival Valentin Barco made his first unofficial appearance for Chelsea since his signing from RC Strasbourg. He was given the number 4 shirt, which is currently officially taken by Tosin Adarabioyo. However, he wasn't included in the squad and has been linked with a transfer away. Could this indicate that a move is on the cards?
Maxence Lacroix, who signed from Crystal Palace, took Benoit Badiashile's number 5 for the friendly. Badiashile is set to leave Chelsea. Lacroix wore the number 5 at Crystal Palace, so he looks set to keep it at Stamford Bridge.
Mike Penders was given a runout in the second half and wore number 39.
With Fofana taking number 3, Pep Chavarria wore 29 during his brief cameo against Real Sociedad.
As mentioned, Chelsea will confirm the final numbers in the coming weeks once the season gets underway, and any later changes will depend on who joins, stays, or goes after the summer transfer window closes on September 1.
Shirt numbers will be far down the agenda for Alonso and the Chelsea players, but this will let fans plan for the season if they want to buy club merchandise with players' names on the back.