Chelsea drops huge transfer clue after confirming two new squad numbers

Chelsea's Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana are set to sport new jersey numbers for the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Blues announced on Monday morning that Colwill will take over the No. 6 shirt previously worn by Thiago Silva, while Fofana will switch from No. 33 to No. 29. Chelsea has also confirmed that its summer recruits Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will don the No. 4 and No. 22 shirts respectively. And fellow newcomers Omari Kellyman (No. 37), Marc Guiu (No. 38), and Renato Veiga (No. 40) have been assigned their initial roster numbers.

The final list of Chelsea squad numbers will be confirmed later in the summer, with the club stating these numbers could change before September. Interestingly, a few Chelsea players still seem to be without a designated shirt number. One player catching the attention of Blues fans is Andrey Santos, who has returned to the club after loan stints at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg last season.

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Santos wore the No. 39 shirt for Chelsea during pre-season last year, before it was announced in August that he would wear No. 20 for the 2023/24 season, prior to his loan move to Nottingham Forest. After Santos' temporary transfer, Cole Palmer chose the vacant No. 20 as his squad number following his transfer from Manchester City to SW6.

With the No. 20 shirt now claimed by Palmer, Santos will need a new squad number if he's in Enzo Maresca's plans for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old is currently training hard at Chelsea's Cobham facility following their return to pre-season last week, with his sights set on securing a spot in the Italian manager's squad.

Chelsea's first summer friendly against Wrexham on July 25 will provide some insight into whether Santos will get his chance under Maresca and reveal his shirt number for the 2024/25 season. But Santos isn't the only one waiting for a squad number.

Angelo Gabriel is also in the same situation as his compatriot. According to Chelsea's official website, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Malang Sarr, Bashir Humphreys, Tino Anjorin, Mason Burstow, David Datro Fofana, and Romelu Lukaku are also without squad numbers, which could suggest possible transfers before the summer transfer deadline on August 30.

Liverpool.com says: As the weeks roll on, Maresca's plans for the new season at Stamford Bridge will become clearer. Right now, it's hard to judge just how competitive Chelsea will be during the 2024/25 season - but Liverpool fans should expected the Blues to finish below Arne Slot's title challengers.