Chelsea have already bolstered Enzo Maresca’s attacking options this summer, with the arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
The Englishman scored 12 goals for the Tractor Boys in the Premier League last term, and will take the number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge.
That particular jersey has become somewhat infamous in West London over the years, and here we take a look back at some of the best – and worst – players to don the number nine in Chelsea colours.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
2000-04, Games: 177, Goals: 87
Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and scored 55 times across his first two campaigns in England. Despite his scoring record dipping slightly in his final two years at the club, Hasselbaink departed Stamford Bridge as a fan favourite and remains the Blues’ fourth highest scorer in the Premier League.
Hasselbaink scored 55 times across his first two seasons with Chelsea (Photo: kolvenbach/Alamy)
Mateja Kezman
2004-05, Games: 41, Goals: 7
Mateja Kezman joined the Blues from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2004, around the same time as Roman Abramovich took charge of the West London giants. Despite Jose Mourinho’s side winning the Premier League title, Kezman netted just four times in 25 games in the competition before being sold to Atletico Madrid the following summer.
Kezman struggled during his time with Chelsea (Photo: PA Images/Alamy)
Fernandes Torres
2011-14, Games: 172, Goals: 45
When Chelsea paid a British record £50 million to sign Fernando Torres from rivals Liverpool in 2011, the Spaniard was expected to continue the prolific form he had displayed at Anfield. The reality was very different, though, with Torres going more than 900 minutes before netting his first goal for the club. Despite his early struggles, Torres is adored by Chelsea fans after scoring the goal that sent them to the 2012 Champions League final, and he is the club’s joint-fourth highest scorer in the competition.
Torres escorad the goal that sent Chelsea to the 2012 Champions League final (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Alvaro Morata
2017-20, Games: 72, Goals: 24
Alvaro Morata joined Chelsea from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2017 and netted 15 times during his first season in England. He added another five Premier League goals to his tally the following season, before joining Atletico Madrid on loan in January 2019. Morata then made his move to Atletico permanent in the summer of 2020.
Morata failed to live up to expectations during his time with Chelsea (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Tammy Abraham
2019-21, Games: 82, Goals: 30
With Frank Lampard in charge and the club under a transfer embargo, Chelsea looked to youth in 2019 and Tammy Abraham was one of a handful of academy graduates to flourish under the ex-Blues midfielder. Abraham netted 18 times during his first full season in the first team at Stamford Bridge, before scoring 12 times the following season. He fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, however, and was eventually sold to Italian side Roma in 2021, although he did win the Champions League with the Blues.
Abraham was part of a youthful Chelsea side under Frank Lampard (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Romelu Lukaku
2021-22, Games: 44, Goals: 15
Chelsea paid a staggering £97.5 million to sign Romelu Lukaku in 2021, with the Belgian striker having helped Inter Milan to the Serie A title the previous season. Lukaku, who spent time with Chelsea as a youngster, scored against Arsenal on his second debut for the club but finished the season with just 15 goals across all competitions after an ill-advised interview with Italian media saw him fall out of favour with Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea paid £97.5 million to re-sign Lukaku in 2021 (Photo: ZUMA Press, Inc/Alamy)