Chelsea player loses shirt number and trains away from the first team

Liam Delap’s Chelsea future has taken another significant turn, with the striker losing the number nine shirt and moving into a separate training group ahead of the new Premier League season.

João Pedro has inherited the prestigious number, while Delap is now training alongside several players whose futures remain uncertain, including Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Chelsea insist the arrangement is different from last season’s controversial “bomb squad”, but it is difficult to ignore what the decision says about Delap’s current position under Xabi Alonso.

Delap loses shirt number to João Pedro

According to BBC, Delap has lost the number nine shirt only a year after receiving it following his £30m move from Ipswich Town.

Pedro, one of Chelsea’s strongest performers last season, will wear it instead.

Delap is also working away from Alonso’s main group, alongside Jackson and Mudryk.

However, Chelsea sources have stressed that this is not intended as punishment, with several players in the second group either available for transfer or working towards full fitness.

The financial picture makes Chelsea’s intentions clearer. Sky Sports reports that the Blues value Delap at £50m, while Jackson carries a £65m asking price.

Axel Disasi is another player available, valued at around £25m plus add-ons.