Amidst rumours of a deal for Darwin Nunez in the final week of the summer transfer window, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has stated he will give the number nine shirt to the next striker he recruits. At Stamford Bridge, the renowned squad number has been used by numerous strikers, including Gianluca Vialli, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Tony Cascarino, and Hernan Crespo. However, among the fanbase, it has developed somewhat of a reputation for being “cursed” in recent years.
Number Nine Curse at Stamford Bridge
Simply put, many people think that every striker who has donned the infamous nine at Chelsea will miserably fall short of expectations. In the last 10 years, players like Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata have all assumed the role.
With the exception of Tammy Abraham, who was moved to AS Roma because he wasn’t judged good enough for a long-term spot in the team, none of them have had any success at the club. The position was vacant at the start of the new season, and there was much talk of new forward acquisitions.
Christopher Nkunku, a successful goal scorer during his time at RB Leipzig who can play everywhere in the front three and as a ten, was the first to enter. Even while some people would have assumed he would choose the number nine, he doubled it and chose 18, which he already had at Leipzig.
Soon after, Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal entered the game, but he ultimately chose a different team number, choosing 15. With few days left in the transfer window, the number nine spot is still open and Chelsea are still looking for a forward.
Darwin Nunez can be the new number nine at Chelsea
Pochettino has stated his opinion about the next striker to walk through the door donning the number nine. Before the team’s matchup with Luton Town, Pochettino told the reporters
“For sure, if we bring in one striker more, now I‘m going to be sure that he uses the nine and try to change the feeling and the idea that this number is not cursed.”
He further jokingly said
“We need to do some things to change the energy. I will ask the kit man to bring all the nine shirts and we do some energetic thing to break it”
Darwin Nunez had a difficult first season with Liverpool, but now that Roberto Firmino has left, he has assumed the mantle of their number nine shirt. It is unclear if the move would proceed or if it will break the alleged curse, but if he were to join Chelsea, it would appear to confirm his shirt number in advance.
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