Liam Delap has been given the No 9 jersey that many assumed to have been soaked with misfiring as can be seen with former talented players like Hernan Crespo and Fernando Torres at Chelsea.
What happened?
The Blues officially introduced Delap as their new striker having completed a £30 million deal from Ipswich Town. Following the arrival of Dario Essugo, the 22-year-old is Enzo Maresca’s second summer signing.
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After finishing his medical examination in west London, the Winchester-born player has written a long-term contract. Expectations are great for the new striker as they get back to Champions League fixtures.
Why the Chelsea’s No 9 is famous?
Former Manchester City striker will wear the classic No 9 jersey, a number many regard as being the cause of misfirings at Stamford Bridge. Over the years, this shirt has brought more sadness than glory; he becomes the 18th player to inherit it.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a prolific scorer for Chelsea, finding the back of the net 87 times in 177 appearances and providing 24 assists. Mateja Kezman netted in seven occasions and supplied two assists in 40 appearances during the 2004–05 season. Hernan Crespo contributed 13 goals and three assists in 49 appearances in the 2005–06 season.
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Khalid Boulahrouz, a defender, had zero goals and no assist in 23 appearances during the 2006–07 season. Steve Sidwell struggled to score a lone goal and one assist in 25 appearances in the 2007–08 season. Franco Di Santo had no goal and provided just one assist in 16 appearances during the 2008–09 season.
However, Fernando Torres tried to break the jinx by scoring 45 goals and providing 35 assists in 172 appearances between 2011 and 2014. Radamel Falcao misfired again in the jersey having scored just one goal in 12 appearances during the 2015–16 season. Alvaro Morata netted 24 goals and made 6 assists in 72 appearances between 2017 and 2018.
Gonzalo Higuain scored five goals and provided one assist in 18 appearances in 2019. Tammy Abraham contributed 30 goals and 12 assists in 82 appearances from 2019 to 2021. Romelu Lukaku scored 15 goals and made 2 assists in 44 appearances during the 2021–22 season.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the last man to wear it, had a dull stint in 2023. Romelu Lukaku returned in a £98 million transfer in 2021 before him but could not regain his form.
Lukaku’s second Chelsea stint rapidly went downhill despite a good beginning, which resulted in loan moves back to Inter and Roma. Eventually he went for Napoli in a £30 million contract last summer.
Delap could break the No. 9 curse?
The England U21 international now carries the burden of a shirt soaked in misfire past with great potential and natural talent.He will want to change the story and give the pride of London outfit the steady striker they have been looking for. It remains to be seen if he succeeds or fails under No. 9.
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