Chelsea appear to be sending subtle signals about their 2026-27 squad after two new arrivals were handed shirt numbers previously associated with established first-team players during a recent pre-season friendly.
Summer recruits Maxence Lacroix and Pep Chavarria both featured for the Blues, marking their first appearances in Chelsea colours. Lacroix took to the field wearing the No.5 shirt, a number long associated with defender Benoit Badiashile, while Chavarria donned the No.29, which has been Wesley Fofana's number for several seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The numbering choices have sparked speculation among supporters that Chelsea could be preparing to make changes to their squad list, potentially indicating that Badiashile and Fofana may not retain their current numbers going forward, or that their futures at the club could be uncertain.
Adding to the intrigue, defender Valentin Barco, who did not feature in the match and remained among the substitutes, was seen wearing the No.4 shirt. That number has been associated with Tosin Adarabioyo throughout the club's pre-season schedule so far.
Despite the apparent shifts, Chelsea have been careful to clarify that nothing is finalised yet. Earlier this month, the club issued a statement addressing the numbering situation during the pre-season period.
"Supporters should note that during pre-season, the shirt numbers worn by all players may not be representative of their finalised squad numbers for the 2026/27 campaign," the statement on Chelsea's official website read. "Further detail on this will be provided in due course."
That notice suggests that while Lacroix, Chavarria and Barco wore those specific numbers in the friendly, it does not necessarily confirm that Badiashile, Fofana and Adarabioyo have been officially stripped of their long-held shirt numbers. The situation remains fluid as the club continues its preparations for the new campaign.
However, the timing of this latest development has fueled belief that an official announcement could be close. Chelsea are widely expected to confirm their squad numbers for the upcoming season before their fixture against Fulham this weekend, and the shirts worn in this most recent friendly may offer an early glimpse of what is to come once the numbers are made official.
The uncertainty surrounding the futures of Badiashile, Fofana and Adarabioyo adds another layer of interest to Chelsea's pre-season, as the club continues to reshape its squad following a summer of transfer activity. Both Lacroix and Chavarria arriving as fresh faces this window naturally opens the door for squad number reshuffles, particularly with numbers as coveted as the No.4, No.5 and No.29 potentially changing hands.
For now, fans will have to wait for Chelsea's official confirmation to know definitively whether this pre-season numbering was simply a temporary measure or a genuine indicator of squad changes to come. With the season opener approaching and further clarity promised by the club, all eyes will be on Chelsea's announcement in the coming days.
The friendly served as an important step in integrating the club's new arrivals, with both Lacroix and Chavarria given valuable minutes as they continue to settle into Chelsea's system ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Football).