Chelsea drop cryptic Mykhailo Mudryk transfer hint

Chelsea have dropped a cryptic hint regarding Mykhailo Mudryk’s future at the club by handing his No.10 shirt number to Cole Palmer.

Palmer, 23, has worn the No.20 since his arrival from Manchester City for €47 million in August 2023, but his immense form for the Blues has been rewarded with a new jersey ahead of the Club World Cup.

The England international could don the No.10 shirt for the very first time when Chelsea face Los Angeles FC on 16 June in Atlanta, with the 23-year-old set to play a key role for Enzo Maresca’s side in the United States of America.

Palmer was initially deployed as a right winger in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, but Mauricio Pochettino moved him into a No.10 role during the final few weeks of the 2023-24 campaign and he remained in that position last year.

Chelsea have now confirmed that Palmer will wear the No.10 shirt next season, with Mudryk’s new number yet to be announced.

The Ukrainian hasn’t featured for the Blues since November after testing positive for meldonium and he is currently suspended until further notice.

By taking the No.10 shirt off Mudryk, Chelsea have hinted that his future lies away from Stamford Bridge, even if his second sample returns a negative test.

If Mudryk is found guilty of doping, he could be handed a football ban of up to four years.

Liam Delap handed No.9 shirt

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also confirmed that new signing Liam Delap will wear the No.9 shirt next season.

The No.9 shirt hasn’t been worn since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure in 2023, while the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao and Fernando Torres have all flopped after being given the jersey.

Chelsea fans will be hoping Delap doesn’t follow suit following his arrival from Ipswich Town for €35m.

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