Hakim Ziyech will officially become a Chelsea player this summer, the Morocco international’s €40m (£33.4m) move from Ajax which could potentially increase to a maximum of €44m (£36.7m) with variable factors will go through on July 1, 2020.
It’s certainly a massive statement of intent from the west London outfit as they aim to mount a potential Premier League title challenge next season, although there’s one question that still needs answering.
Upon meeting up with his new teammates in the summer, he will need to be allocated a squad number. For Ajax he’s worn the no.22 shirt ever since he arrived from Twente in the summer of 2016, but he has worn no.10 and wears no.7 for his national team.
Here we take a look to see what numbers are currently free at Stamford Bridge.
No.6: The current owner of this shirt number technically is Danny Drinkwater who spent the first half of the season on loan at Burnley. He returned to west London in January, although he was sent to Aston Villa in another loan deal.
No.10: Eden Hazard has now gone. The player was out of contract at the end of the 2019/2020 season and since completed his move to Real Madrid following over a year of speculation regarding his future.
No.14: The No.14 is also currently up for grabs with Tiemoue Bakayoko spending the season on loan at AS Monaco.
No.15: Currently vacant following Victor Moses’ loan move to Fenerbahce at the start of 2019. The Nigerian has since moved to Inter Milan for the remainder of the season and could earn a permanent contract with the Serie A giants should he impress.
No.21: Davide Zappacosta’s loan move to AS Roma has been disrupted by injury, but his squad number at the Bridge is currently vacant.
No.26: As is the case with the No.25 shirt, John Terry’s No.26 may well be left vacant following his trophy-laden spell at Stamford Bridge.