Chelsea’s new number 9 and 10 shake up Club World Cup hopes | OneFootball

Chelsea have announced key changes to their squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they are set to face Flamengo in Group D alongside Los Angeles FC and Espérance. The London club’s lineup will feature a new attacking duo wearing the iconic No. 9 and No. 10 shirts as they look to strengthen their credentials on the global stage.

Cole Palmer, one of last season’s standout performers, will switch from the No. 20 to No. 10 for the tournament. Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in September 2023 and quickly became a central figure for the side. In the previous campaign, he tallied 15 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League—form that saw him nominated as a finalist for the league’s Player of the Season honours. The shirt change comes in the wake of Mykhailo Mudryk’s provisional suspension following a positive anti-doping test in December 2024.

Palmer’s move to No. 10 places him firmly at the core of Chelsea’s plans in the United States, and the club will rely on his ongoing form as they chase a first Club World Cup title.

Up front, Liam Delap will take on the No. 9 shirt after being confirmed as Chelsea’s new centre forward. Delap joins after catching the eye at Ipswich Town, where he scored 12 goals in the Premier League and played a crucial part in their campaign. The 21-year-old faces the challenge of breaking Chelsea’s well-publicized “No. 9 curse,” with predecessors like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Álvaro Morata, and Fernando Torres all failing to live up to expectations in recent years.

Delap’s arrival is a clear signal that Chelsea are banking on youthful energy and recent form for the tournament. The club believe that pairing Delap’s presence in the box with Palmer’s creativity will provide the balance and attacking threat necessary for a deep run in the competition. Both players are expected to feature prominently as Chelsea open their Club World Cup campaign against LAFC on June 16 before a potential pivotal clash with Flamengo.

As anticipation builds ahead of kick-off, Chelsea’s decision to redefine their leadership on the pitch via these squad number changes underscores the club’s ongoing evolution under its current project. With Palmer and Delap set for key roles, manager and squad alike are aiming for a positive showing in a group that includes one of South America’s most storied sides.

Source: Lance

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