Cole Palmer is set to embark on a new chapter at Chelsea as he dons the iconic No.10 shirt for the upcoming season, a move that signals his growing importance at Stamford Bridge. Having joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £40 million deal two summers ago, Palmer wore the No.20 shirt during his first two seasons. Now, ahead of the inaugural expanded Club World Cup starting in the United States this June, the England forward will step into the No.10 role previously held by Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Blues kick off the 32-team summer tournament on June 16 in Atlanta against Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC, who earned their spot through a play-off victory led by former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud. Following that, Chelsea will face Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis in Group D matches in Philadelphia. This tournament marks an exciting new challenge for Chelsea, and Palmer’s new shirt number underlines the club’s faith in his abilities on a global stage.
The No.10 shirt carries a rich legacy at Chelsea, having been worn by club legends such as Christian Pulisic, Willian, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, and Joe Cole. Hazard, in particular, is a figure Palmer greatly admires. In recent interviews, Palmer named Hazard on his “Mount Rushmore of Premier League players” and expressed a wish to have played alongside the Belgian star. This new number not only reflects Palmer’s rising status but also connects him to a lineage of influential playmakers who have graced the Bridge.
Palmer’s switch to No.10 comes amid the ongoing absence of Mudryk, who has been provisionally suspended since October 2024 after testing positive for a banned substance while on international duty with Ukraine. The winger has not featured for Chelsea since December 2024, when the provisional ban was imposed. Although Mudryk was eligible for a Conference League winners’ medal after attending the final against Real Betis in Wroclaw last month, his future at the club remains uncertain as he awaits the results of a ‘B’ sample. Should he be found guilty, he could face a lengthy suspension, further complicating Chelsea’s squad plans.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have also announced that new signing Liam Delap, acquired from Ipswich for £30 million, will wear the No.9 shirt. This number had been vacant since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Marseille in the summer of 2023. Delap, an England Under-21 international, will be eager to make his mark while avoiding the pitfalls that have sometimes accompanied the No.9 jersey at Chelsea. Notable strikers such as Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao, and Fernando Torres have all struggled to find consistent success wearing the number in recent years.
The pairing of Palmer and Delap promises to be an exciting prospect for Chelsea fans. The two young English forwards have already demonstrated a positive on-field chemistry, and with Palmer now wearing the club’s playmaker’s number, expectations are high for their combined impact. Chelsea’s management appears confident in this attacking duo as they prepare to compete on multiple fronts this season.
Palmer’s elevation to the No.10 shirt also speaks volumes about Chelsea’s long-term vision. The club has shown commitment to Palmer by securing a long-term contract and improving his salary, signaling that he is central to their future plans. This confidence contrasts with the uncertainty surrounding Mudryk’s situation, where the provisional suspension and pending investigation have left the Ukrainian winger’s role in the squad in limbo.
Reflecting on the significance of the No.10 shirt, Chelsea fans will recall the impact of Eden Hazard, who took the number after Juan Mata’s departure and became a club legend. Palmer’s admiration for Hazard adds an emotional layer to the number change, as he steps into the role once held by one of his idols. This transition is more than just a shirt swap—it’s a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation of Chelsea talent.
As Chelsea prepare for the Club World Cup and the upcoming Premier League season, the new shirt numbers highlight the evolving dynamics within the squad. Palmer’s move to No.10 and Delap’s arrival as No.9 indicate a fresh attacking approach under the guidance of the coaching staff. Fans will be keen to see how this youthful duo performs on the big stage, especially as they face formidable opponents in the summer tournament.
In summary, Cole Palmer’s switch to the No.10 shirt marks a significant milestone in his Chelsea career, reflecting both his individual growth and the club’s strategic direction. With Liam Delap stepping into the No.9 role, Chelsea’s attacking options look promising as they embark on a demanding season ahead. The Club World Cup will serve as an early test for this new-look frontline, with Palmer and Delap poised to make their mark on both domestic and international stages.
