The six players heading for Chelsea exit after shirt number snub

Cameron Smith

Updated: 4 Aug 2022 12:20 CDT
3 min read

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Chelsea have released their shirt numbers for the 2022-23 season, and there are some notable absentees from that list, suggesting an exit from the club is looming.

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Thomas Tuchel's side kick off their Premier League campaign against Everton, but there are still plenty of question marks over how their squad will look by the time the summer transfer window slams shut.

The Blues have signed Gabriel Slonina, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling this summer, but have seen pursuits for other targets fail miserably.

Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake, Jules Kounde and Raphinha are just four names that have snubbed Chelsea so far this window, but the likes of Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are in talks.

While arrivals have been the focus for Tuchel and Todd Boehly, departures are also likely. The Blues are yet to receive a transfer fee for any player so far this summer, but that could change.

Which players haven't been given a shirt number?

Following the announcement of the club's shirt numbers for the new campaign, there were six notable players not given a number. They are: Levi Colwill, Billy Gilmour, Ethan Ampadu, Ross Barkley, Michy Batshuayi, and Kenedy.

Colwill, who spent last season on loan with Huddersfield, has been linked with a move away all summer, with Chelsea's high-profile centre-back pursuit putting his place under threat.

© ProShots - Levi Colwill spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Huddersfield

Leicester and Brighton have expressed their interest, with Colwill potentially being used in any deal to sign Cucurella or Fofana. According to reports, a move to Brighton is likely, whether that be a permanent deal with a buy-back option, or simply a loan deal.

On the other hand, Ampadu impressed in pre-season but doesn't look set to be given a chance, while Gilmour was taken out of the US pre-season squad and placed in the U23s. The former has been linked with Spezia, while Everton have shown an interest in the latter.

Barkley has also been linked with a move to Everton, while Batshuayi is reportedly a loan option for Wolves, whose only striker, Raul Jimenez, picked up a pre-season injury.

New signings Sterling and Koulibaly have taken the number 17 and 26 shirts respectively, while returning loanees Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja will wear the number 23 and 18 shirts. Chukwuemeka will don the number 20 shirt.