Chelsea announce Noni Madueke’s shirt number as he takes new team-mate’s top after £35m transfer
CHELSEA have announced Noni Madueke’s shirt number for the season.
And the star has taken a new team-mate’s top after completing his £35million Stamford Bridge move.
Madueke, 20, was snapped up by the Blues from PSV Eindhoven last week.
The left-footed right-sider penned an eight-and-a-half year deal in the process.
And Madueke will be hoping to make his debut in next week’s home clash against Fulham.
Should he get the nod from Graham Potter, Chelsea’s sixth signing of the January window will show off his new shirt number.
It has been confirmed by the Blues that Madueke will wear the No31.
The jersey has been taken off new team-mate Malang Sarr, who is on loan at Monaco.
And the change hints that the French defender is not welcome back at Chelsea this summer, despite playing 21 times last season.
Previous wearers of the shirt include Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Rob Green.
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But Madueke may yet have his eye on eventually taking the No10 shirt which he wore at PSV.
It is currently occupied by Christian Pulisic, but the American is being tipped to depart Chelsea at the end of the season.
Wearing the No10 would also allow Madueke to emulate hero Eden Hazard, who won two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.
Madueke said: “[Blue I most admire?] Eden Hazard, just a ‘get you off your seat’ type of player.
“So exciting in terms of the flair and being able to get people off their seat, create and stuff.
“There’s definitely similarities but I hope to be as good as him some day.”