Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz could be set for a straight shootout for the Chelsea No 10 shirt next season. The German has not arrived on English shores as of yet, he is set to become the club’s record signing.
A deal worth an initial £72million – rising to £90m with add-ons – has been agreed with Bayer Leverkusen for the attacking midfielder. He is currently away on international duty with Germany but is set to finalise his move following the two Nations League matches with Spain and Switzerland.
Havertz will be tasked with deciding on a shirt number ahead of his new season. Things are a little complicated though, given that there are not many classic attacking options available to hand.
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech were supposedly handed their new shirt numbers. Werner wore the No 11 shirt he sported at RB Leipzig. Ziyech also wore the No 22 during his time at Ajax, so the choices came as no surprise.
The No 22 was worn by Pulisic last season meaning he is set to change numbers for the upcoming campaign. Chelsea are yet to confirm his new squad number though but it would be fair to assume he will be handed the No 10 shirt following his promising end to the season
Willian vacated the jersey upon the expiry of his contract. That would leave Havertz short of options although further vacancies are expected in the transfer window.
The No 14 shirt may become available should AC Milan sign a permanent deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko. Kenedy’s No 16 shirt is also expected to be up for grabs. The same can also be said about Davide Zappacosta’s former No 21 shirt while