At Stamford Bridge, there exists a jersey that should inspire greatness but instead, it seems to carry a dark cloud. The Chelsea No. 9 shirt, once expected to lead the attack with flair and goals, has become more of a graveyard for strikers than a platform for success. And yes, the curse appears to still be very real.
Over the years, this iconic number has been worn by some of football’s most promising names. Yet, instead of writing history, most of them left without ever truly making their mark. The most painful example? Fernando Torres. After dazzling at Liverpool with his lethal finishing and blistering pace, the Spanish striker arrived at Chelsea with sky-high expectations. But almost instantly, his spark faded. Despite his undoubted talent, Torres became a shadow of himself in the No. 9 shirt another victim of the so-called curse.
And it didn’t end there.
Chelsea fans have witnessed a parade of talented forwards Falcao, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Tammy Abraham, and Romelu Lukaku who all came with big reputations and even bigger transfer fees. Each was seen as a savior of Chelsea’s attacking line. Each was expected to be the one to break the spell. Yet, they all failed to live up to expectations. Some couldn’t adapt. Others couldn’t find form. And some simply cracked under the pressure. Most recently, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined the list, adding yet another name to the ever-growing tally of underwhelming number 9s.
It’s almost as if the jersey itself is cursed.
Longtime supporters may remember even earlier disappointments like Hernán Crespo, whose flashes of brilliance were too inconsistent to be remembered as truly great in Chelsea blue. Unfortunately, many younger fans may not recall these earlier struggles but the pattern is clear.
Now, the name Liam Delap is starting to float around as a potential new No. 9. Whispers of hope are building among the fanbase. Some believe he might finally be the one to break the curse. But let’s pause for a reality check.
If Torres, a proven world-class striker, couldn’t succeed… If Lukaku, after multiple stints and massive hype, couldn’t deliver…
Why should anyone believe Delap will fare differently?
There’s no disrespect intended toward the young talent. But if history is anything to go by, wearing Chelsea’s No. 9 is a heavy burden. It’s not just about skill it’s about surviving the weight of expectations, media pressure, and fan demands.
Unless the club is planning a full-blown exorcism or rebranding of the jersey, the odds are stacked against whoever takes it next. Liam Delap may be promising, but that shirt has broken stronger players before him.
Until someone proves otherwise, the Chelsea No. 9 remains football’s most fashionable curse.
