--- title: "Chelsea Confirms Squad Numbers for New Season: Joao Pedro Gets the Nine, Palmer Takes the Ten from Mudryk" description: "Chelsea have confirmed squad numbers ahead of the start of the new season: Joao Pedro gets the legendary nine, Delap moves to 12, Rodgers to 17, and Palmer takes the ten from Mudryk." date: 2026-08-19T21:58:06.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/chelsea-squad-numbers-new-season-joao-pedro-nine-palmer-ten-mudryk tags: [chelsea, joao-pedro, liam-delap, morgan-rogers, mykhailo-mudrik, cole-palmer, habi-alonso, premier-league] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Chelsea Confirms Squad Numbers for New Season: Joao Pedro Gets the Nine, Palmer Takes the Ten from Mudryk ![Cole Palmer in Chelsea kit: midfielder takes over the number 10 shirt from Mudryk for the new season](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/19/chelsi-nomera-igrokov-novyy-sezon-2026/chelsi-nomera-igrokov-novyy-sezon-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Joao Pedro received the number nine as a reward for last season - Liam Delap moved from the number nine to 12 and is likely to leave the club before the window closes - Morgan Rodgers received the number 17, previously worn by Hazard, Salah and Sterling - Mykhailo Mudryk took the number 33, while his number ten passed to Cole Palmer English side Chelsea have officially confirmed the allocation of squad numbers ahead of the start of the new season. According to talkSPORT and Goal.com, one of the most notable decisions was awarding striker Joao Pedro the legendary number nine. The club views this as a well-deserved recognition of the Brazilian's outstanding performances during the previous campaign, in which he became one of the key players in attack. ### Joao Pedro's Nine — Recognition of His Merits Receiving the number nine became a symbolic milestone in the period of change the team is undergoing under head coach Xabi Alonso. For Pedro, this is not just a change of number on his back, but a marker of his status in the hierarchy of the Blues' attacking line. The club hopes the new number will serve as an additional incentive to continue his prolific form in the coming season. ### Delap and His Number 12: The Shadow of Transfer Rumours At the same time, the reshuffle also affected Liam Delap, who will wear the number 12 in the new season. Since his move from Ipswich Town in 2025, the Englishman had been playing under the number nine, however he scored just three goals in 47 matches last season. Against the backdrop of competition from Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, his place in the starting lineup was called into question. Despite a valid five-year contract, it is expected that the striker will leave Stamford Bridge before the close of the transfer window: the player prefers to stay in the English Premier League, while Italian side Como have shown interest in him. ### Rodgers Inherits the Legends' Number 17 The club's record signing Morgan Rodgers has been given the number 17 for the new season. This number in Chelsea's history is associated with the names of Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling, which adds an extra layer of symbolic weight to the choice. For Rodgers himself, this is a start under a number that carries the legacy of past generations of the Londoners' attacking players. ### Mudryk and Palmer: A Reshuffle in the Attacking Line Particular attention deserves the fate of the number ten. Having received permission to return to the pitch, Mykhailo Mudryk will take the number 33 in the new season, while his former ten has passed to Cole Palmer. Thus, the club has effectively fixed a new balance of power in the attacking line, where Palmer gains the status of one of the team's central figures. ### Context: The Xabi Alonso Era All these changes are taking place against the backdrop of a general squad overhaul and tactical priorities under Xabi Alonso. The choice of numbers reflects not only the players' current form, but also the coaching staff's long-term plans for building the core of the attack. For Chelsea, this is a step towards defining roles up front ahead of the start of the full campaign. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Chelsea Announces Squad Numbers for the New Season – Zamin.uz, 20.08.2026](https://zamin.uz/ru/sport/218596-chelsi-obyavil-nomera-igrokov-na-novyy-sezon.html) - Подтверждает публикацию номеров на новый сезон. - [Chelsea Updates First-Team Squad Numbers. Do the Changes Affect Mudryk?](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/england/1787156343-chelsi-obnovil-nomera-igrokov-osnovnoy-komandy-kosnulis-li-izmeneniya-mudrika.html) - Подтверждает перестановки, включая ситуацию с Мудриком. - [What Will Happen with Mudryk? Chelsea Is Set for a Major Sell-Off Before the End of the Summer ...](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/england/1786096213-a-chto-budet-s-mudrikom-chelsi-sobiraetsya-ustroit-krupnuyu-rasprodazhu-do-konca-letnego-transfernogo-okna.html) - Подтверждает перестановки, включая ситуацию с Мудриком. - [Chelsea Players Handed Their Numbers](https://www.sovsport.ru/football/news/121958-futbolistam-chelsi-razdali-nomera) - Подтверждает факт распределения номеров. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What number did Joao Pedro get at Chelsea? **A:** Joao Pedro received the legendary number nine, which the club considers a well-deserved reward for his performances last season. ### Q: Why did Liam Delap change his number? **A:** Delap moved from the number nine to 12 against the backdrop of low output (3 goals in 47 matches) and competition from Jackson and Guiu; his departure is expected before the close of the transfer window. ### Q: Who got Mudryk's number ten? **A:** The number ten passed to Cole Palmer, while Mykhailo Mudryk, who has received permission to return to the pitch, took the number 33.