Following in the footsteps of Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and others, will Liam Delap be able to overcome the Chelsea No. 9 ‘curse’?
Liam Delap has officially joined Chelsea, signing a six-year deal that positions him as a key figure for The Blues in the seasons ahead. The young striker, previously with Ipswich Town, made a notable impact in his debut Premier League season, netting 12 goals for The Tractor Boys. At just 22 years of age, Delap is eager to build on this success after joining the UEFA Conference League winners.
In a clear show of confidence in his abilities, Chelsea has handed Delap the iconic No. 9 shirt for the upcoming season. This decision underscores his significance in manager Enzo Maresca’s plans moving forward. However, the No. 9 shirt has a rather infamous reputation among Chelsea supporters, often associated with a string of underwhelming performances from its previous wearers, leading some to believe it may be ‘cursed’.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of the No. 9 shirt in the Premier League and how its past holders have fared, whether due to bad luck or simply poor form.
Tony Cascarino (1993/94)
The inaugural season of permanent squad numbers saw Irish striker Cascarino don the No. 9. Unfortunately, he managed only four goals in 20 appearances before departing for Marseille.
Mark Stein (1994/95 – 1995/96)
After being signed from Stoke by Glenn Hoddle, Stein had a promising start, scoring 13 goals in his first season while wearing No. 21. However, after taking over the No. 9 shirt, he netted just eight goals in 1994/95 and failed to score the following season.
Gianluca Vialli (1996/97 – 1998/99)
The arrival of Vialli marked a turning point for the club, as the UEFA Champions League winner quickly became a fan favourite. Over three successful years, he scored 21 goals in 58 league appearances, also taking on the role of player-manager.
Chris Sutton (1999/2000)
Sutton’s signing from Blackburn Rovers for £10 million was seen as a major coup, but he managed only one goal in a disappointing season before being sold to Celtic.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2000/01 – 2003/04)
Hasselbaink revitalised the No. 9 shirt, scoring an impressive 69 goals in 136 league matches after joining from Atletico Madrid, before moving to Middlesbrough as the club underwent a transformation under new ownership.
Mateja Kezman (2004/05)
Kezman was brought in to replicate his successful partnership with Arjen Robben at PSV Eindhoven, but he struggled, scoring just four goals before being sold to Atletico Madrid.
Hernan Crespo (2005/06)
Crespo matched his debut season tally of 10 goals while wearing the No. 9 shirt after returning from a loan at AC Milan, contributing to Chelsea’s Premier League title win. However, he left the club in 2006 amid fierce competition for places.
Khalid Boulahrouz (2006/07)
In a surprising move, the Dutch defender took the No. 9 shirt but failed to make an impact, leaving after just one season.
Steve Sidwell (2007/08)
Sidwell, signed from Reading, was given the No. 9 shirt by José Mourinho, who reportedly used it as a subtle hint to the club’s hierarchy about needing a striker. Sidwell, however, did not score in his 15 appearances.
Franco Di Santo (2008/09 – 2009/10)
The reserve striker earned the No. 9 shirt after a promising pre-season but made little impact, leading to a loan move and eventual departure.
Fernando Torres (2010/11 – 2014/15)
After a record £50 million transfer from Liverpool, Torres struggled to find his form, scoring just one league goal in his first season and finishing with 20 goals in 110 league appearances.
Radamel Falcao (2015/16)
Falcao’s loan move from Manchester United was met with skepticism, and he managed only one goal in 10 league games due to injury struggles.
Alvaro Morata (2017/18)
Morata started brightly with six goals in his first six matches but ended the season with just 11. He switched to No. 29 the following season, scoring five more before leaving for Atletico Madrid.
Gonzalo Higuain (2018/19)
Higuain’s loan spell was largely forgettable, with five league goals in 14 games, primarily against lower-ranked teams.
Tammy Abraham (2019/20 – 2021/22)
The Cobham graduate had a standout first season, scoring 15 goals, the highest for a No. 9 since Hasselbaink. However, his tally dropped to six the following season before moving to Roma.
Romelu Lukaku (2021/22)
Lukaku’s return was celebrated, but he managed only eight league goals before returning to Inter Milan on loan.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (2022/23)
The former Golden Boot winner struggled to replicate his Arsenal form, scoring just once in 15 league appearances before leaving for Marseille.
In summary, the history of the No. 9 shirt at Chelsea is a mixed bag, with some notable successes overshadowed by a series of disappointments. As Liam Delap steps into this storied number, fans will be hoping he can break the ‘curse’ and bring a new era of success to the position.