BREAKING: Raheem Sterling, Koulibaly, and Gallagher squad numbers finally announced
Kalidou Koulibaly, a recent addition to Chelsea, will wear the storied No. 26 jersey during preseason.
Since John Terry, a club legend, no longer wears the number, Blues supporters assumed it had been retired. Terry left the team in 2017.
However, according to the club’s official website, Koulibaly, who joined from Napoli this weekend, will don the No. 26 jersey during preseason.
Terry, one of Chelsea’s all-time greatest players, wore the No. 26 jersey from 1998 to 2017 during his time spent with the team.
Koulibaly has also shown a preference for the No. 26, sporting it during each of his eight seasons with Napoli.
Raheem Sterling, who recently transferred from Manchester City, will don No. 17 during preseason, according to Chelsea.
Saul Niguez most recently wore the shirt during the previous election.
After a successful loan at Crystal Palace, Conor Gallagher, who is now back at Chelsea, will wear No.15 for the remainder of preseason after wearing No. 38 against Club America.
Kurt Zouma, who departed the club in August 2021, was the last person to wear No. 15.
Chelsea will play additional games in the US against Charlotte and Arsenal after defeating Club America 2-1 in their first friendly. After that, they’ll play a preseason matchaway in Italy against Udinese.