Joao Pedro takes Chelsea’s No 9 as squad list reveals omissions
Chelsea have confirmed their squad numbers for the 2026/27 season. While most players have retained their shirts, a number of changes and omissions have drawn attention ahead of the new campaign.
The numbers were confirmed on Chelsea’s official website before the season begins with a trip to Fulham. Changes involving Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Wesley Fofana, Dario Essugo and Tosin Adarabioyo are among the notable updates.
Chelsea’s 2026/27 squad-number update
Joao Pedro has switched from number 20 to number 9, the shirt previously worn by Delap. Delap will wear number 12 this season. Chelsea’s official announcement also notes that Joao Pedro was named the club’s Player of the Year last season.
Fofana has taken the number 3 shirt, which was vacant after Marc Cucurella’s transfer to Real Madrid. Pep Chavarria will wear number 29, previously Fofana’s number. Valentin Barco has been assigned number 4, while Marco Palestra and Maxence Lacroix will wear numbers 2 and 5 respectively.
Jordan Henderson takes number 14, with Essugo moving from 14 to 16. Morgan Rogers will wear number 17, previously held by Andrey Santos, who joined Manchester United. Danny Welbeck has been given number 18, Emmanuel Emegha number 22 and Geovany Quenda number 23.
Academy players Reggie Watson, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Tayo Subuloye have also been assigned numbers 31, 32 and 37 respectively.
What the omissions show
Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Marc Guiu do not appear on the published squad-number list. The three players were left out of pre-season, according to the reported squad update. The announcement does not provide an explanation for their omissions.
Adarabioyo has moved from number 4 to number 38, with Barco taking the number 4 shirt. A squad-number change alone does not confirm a player’s future, but it is one of several details supporters will note as Chelsea prepare for the campaign.
Chelsea’s squad numbers in full
1 – Robert Sanchez
2 – Marco Palestra
3 – Wesley Fofana
4 – Valentin Barco
5 – Maxence Lacroix
6 – Levi Colwill
7 – Pedro Neto
8 – Enzo Fernandez
9 – Joao Pedro
10 – Cole Palmer
11 – Jamie Gittens
12 – Liam Delap
14 – Jordan Henderson
15 – Nicolas Jackson
16 – Dario Essugo
17 – Morgan Rogers
18 – Danny Welbeck
19 – Mamadou Sarr
21 – Jorrel Hato
22 – Emmanuel Emegha
23 – Geovany Quenda
24 – Reece James
25 – Moises Caicedo
27 – Malo Gusto
28 – Teddy Sharman-Lowe
29 – Pep Chavarria
30 – Aaron Anselmino
31 – Reggie Watson
32 – Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli
33 – Mykhailo Mudryk
34 – Josh Acheampong
37 – Tayo Subuloye
38 – Tosin Adarabioyo
39 – Mike Penders
41 – Estevao Willian
44 – Gaga Slonina
45 – Romeo Lavia
What happens next
The squad numbers are confirmed, but Chelsea’s announcement does not set out the reasons behind every change or omission. It also remains unclear whether Watson, Nicoll-Jazuli and Subuloye have been formally promoted to the first-team squad.
For now, the published list provides an early indication of how the group is being presented for 2026/27, while the season opener against Fulham will offer the next opportunity to see Chelsea’s matchday selections.
