Cole Palmer is getting a significant upgrade at Chelsea! The England forward is switching from his No.20 shirt to the prestigious No.10 jersey ahead of the upcoming season. This change comes just as Chelsea prepares for the expanded Club World Cup in the United States this month.
Palmer has been nothing short of sensational since his £40 million move from Manchester City last summer. He quickly established himself as Chelsea's standout performer, making the No.20 shirt famous at Stamford Bridge.
Club World Cup Debut for Palmer's New Number
Fans will first see Palmer sporting his new number when Chelsea kicks off their Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC on June 16 in Atlanta. The Blues will then face Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo and Tunisia's Esperance de Tunis in Group D matches in Philadelphia.
The No.10 shirt at Chelsea carries tremendous weight. Previous wearers include Eden Hazard, Willian, Juan Mata, and Joe Cole – all creative talents who left their mark at the Bridge. Palmer's promotion to this iconic number signals the club's faith in his abilities as their primary playmaker.
The jersey became available after Mykhailo Mudryk's provisional suspension following a positive test for a banned substance while on international duty with Ukraine. Mudryk, who denies wrongdoing, hasn't played since December and awaits his 'B' sample results.
Delap Takes on the Cursed No.9
In other squad number news, new £30 million signing Liam Delap has been handed the vacant No.9 shirt. The England U21 international inherits a jersey that has developed something of a curse at Chelsea in recent years.
Delap will hope to break the spell that has affected several high-profile strikers. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, and Fernando Torres all struggled under the weight of expectations that comes with Chelsea's No.9.
For betting enthusiasts, Palmer's promotion to the No.10 shirt could signal an even more central role in Chelsea's attacking plans. This might translate to more goal contributions and increased influence on matches – something to consider when placing player performance bets.
Chelsea's participation in the expanded Club World Cup also opens up interesting betting markets. With Palmer as their creative hub wearing the iconic No.10, the Blues might be worth considering for a deep run in the tournament despite facing unfamiliar opposition from across the globe.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Palmer to see if he can elevate his game even further with his new shirt number, continuing his remarkable rise at Stamford Bridge.
