Chelsea have revealed their shirt numbers for the new season, including a major decision on the No 9 shirt.

The No 9 shirt has been described as ‘cursed’ at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Falcao taking on the iconic number.

While Tammy Abraham impressed for a short period at Chelsea, their last truly great No 9 was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – who left the club in 2004.

A number of players could have taken on the number this season including new signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.

However, the Blues have decided not to give anyone the No 9 shirt for the 2023-24 season.

Chelsea have decided not to name a new No 9 this season after the exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Christopher Nkunku would have been a likely man to take the shirt but instead has gone for 18

It is a move that Chelsea fans will probably be relieved by due to their struggles to find a successful No 9.

Nkunku will instead wear the No 18 shirt this season, while Jackson will have the No 15 on his back.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has took on the No 7 shirt, after wearing No 17 last season.

He goes back to the number he wore during his successful stint at Manchester City, after N’Golo Kante left for Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

A number of other shirts have become available following the exits this summer of a number of first-team players.

Noni Madueke has opted for the vacant 11 shirt, previously worn by Joao Felix last season and Timo Werner beforehand.

Mykhailo Mudryk replaces Christian Pulisic as Chelsea’s No 10, while Enzo Fernandez has taken on No 8 after Mateo Kovacic left for Manchester City.

Chelsea’s No 9 shirt has picked up a ‘cursed’ reputation with strikers like Romelu Lukaku (pictured), Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata struggling at the Blues

Raheem Sterling will take on the No 7 shirt following N’Golo Kante’s exit for Saudi Arabia

Marc Cucurella takes the No 3 which was last worn by Marcos Alonso, and Benoit Badiashile moves from 4 to 5 following Fernandez’s switch.

Levi Colwill, who last week signed a six-year deal with Chelsea, has taken on the No 26 shirt – made famous by former Blues academy graduate John Terry.

Carney Chukwuemeka takes Sterling’s old No 17, while Armando Broja has switched from 18 to 19 – which had become available following Mason Mount’s £60m move to Manchester United.