For many, superstition surrounds the numbers 13 or 17. At Chelsea, however, it’s No.9 that seems to be synonymous with misfortune. Traditionally reserved for a club’s primary goalscorer, the number has become a symbol of burden at Stamford Bridge. Despite football legends elsewhere making it iconic — from Ronaldo to Batistuta — in West London, it’s become more of a joke than a badge of honour.
Former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel once quipped, “It’s cursed, it’s cursed, people tell me it’s cursed.” Even within the dressing room, players shied away from donning the jersey. “Surprisingly, nobody wants to touch it,” Tuchel added, revealing the stigma surrounding it.
After a two-year hiatus without an occupant, the infamous shirt has a new heir — Liam Delap, signed from Ipswich Town. The young forward now faces a daunting challenge: proving that Chelsea’s No.9 can be a blessing rather than a burden.
But how did this superstition evolve? Let’s journey through Chelsea’s 21st-century No.9s to uncover the truth behind the so-called curse.
Table of Contents
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – The Exception Before the Storm (2000-04)
Chelsea smashed their transfer record to bring in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for £15m after his La Liga heroics with Atletico Madrid. His Stamford Bridge career was nothing short of prolific — 88 goals in 177 outings, including a Premier League Golden Boot in his debut campaign.
Partnering brilliantly with Eidur Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink made No.9 look like a privilege rather than a plague. Sadly for Chelsea, this fruitful start would prove an anomaly.
The Great Collapse Begins: Kezman, Crespo, and Boulahrouz (2004-07)
The troubles truly began with Mateja Kezman. Signed after obliterating records at PSV, he managed just seven strikes in 41 games. Despite scoring in the 2005 League Cup final, his Stamford Bridge stay was a shadow of his Dutch dominance.
Next came Hernan Crespo. Although undeniably talented and at one point the world’s priciest footballer, injuries and discomfort with London life left his Chelsea spell underwhelming, despite a respectable 25-goal tally.
Then, bizarrely, the shirt was handed to defender Khalid Boulahrouz — a decision as confusing as his Chelsea tenure. No goals, plenty of errors, and a nightmare performance at White Hart Lane essentially ended his Blues career.
Misallocated Numbers – Sidwell and Di Santo (2007-09)
Steve Sidwell, a gritty midfielder, inexplicably took the cursed number next, scoring once before swiftly departing. Franco Di Santo arrived from Chile with promise but left with zero goals in 16 appearances. By now, the No.9 shirt felt more like a punchline than a pedigree.
The Torres Gamble – Hope Turns to Humiliation (2011-14)
Fernando Torres arrived from Liverpool amid great fanfare for £50m. His memorable strike against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final teased hope, but 45 goals in 172 appearances fell well short of expectation. Iconic moments were too few to overshadow persistent frustration.
The Big Names Flop Parade (2015-23)
Radamel Falcao’s fleeting spell yielded a solitary consolation strike against Crystal Palace. Gonzalo Higuain brought fleeting glimpses of quality, yet spent more time anonymous than impactful.
Alvaro Morata started strong but soon succumbed to inconsistency, wisely swapping to No.29 mid-tenure in what some saw as an escape from the curse.
Tammy Abraham offered brief optimism with 30 goals, but even he couldn’t fully escape rotation and eventual sale to Roma.
Romelu Lukaku’s blockbuster £97.5m return should have broken the hoodoo. Instead, he scored sporadically, caused rifts with his controversial interviews, and exited once again under a cloud.
Finally, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang barely touched the ball during his brief, ineffective stay, bagging just three goals and reinforcing the jersey’s wretched reputation.
Enter Liam Delap – A New Dawn or Familiar Darkness?
Now, Liam Delap stands as the next test subject in this Stamford Bridge superstition experiment. Coming off an impressive spell with Ipswich Town, Delap brings youthful energy, promising physicality, and a fearless attitude. Unlike many of his predecessors, he’s arriving without the heavy burden of a mammoth transfer fee or sky-high expectations — perhaps exactly what’s needed to break the jinx.
Delap’s challenge is clear: rewrite the narrative. Chelsea supporters will hope that, with a fresh start and under new leadership, the era of striker misfortune can finally end.
Will Delap shatter the stigma or simply join a long line of illustrious failures? Only time will tell, but for now, Stamford Bridge watches with hopeful apprehension.
FAQs
Why is Chelsea’s No.9 shirt considered cursed?
Most players wearing it have underperformed, leading fans to believe the number brings bad luck.
Who was the last successful Chelsea No.9?
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remains the standout, scoring 88 goals. Tammy Abraham came close but wasn’t a regular starter throughout.
Has any Chelsea manager talked about the curse?
Yes, Thomas Tuchel joked that no one wanted the number because of its unlucky history.
Why did Liam Delap pick No.9?
Delap chose it after joining from Ipswich Town, seemingly ready to take on the challenge.
How has Chelsea addressed their striker issues?
The club has signed big names, taken players on loan, and even handed the shirt to midfielders—yet a long-term solution remains elusive.
