Chelsea Forward Loses Shirt Number To New Signing
According to Metro, Chelsea have officially handed new signing Dario Essugo the number 14 shirt, a number that was previously worn by João Félix, signalling a major shift in the squad ahead of the new season. This comes after the club confirmed Essugo’s arrival in an £18 million deal from Sporting CP.
The 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder has signed a long-term deal until 2033, showing just how much belief Chelsea have in his future. Giving him the number 14 shirt is not just a formality, it is a clear message that he’s being trusted to make an impact right away.
That shirt number belonged to Félix, who joined Chelsea just last summer with high hopes but struggled to find consistent playing time. After a slow first half of the season, he was loaned out to AC Milan in January. Now, with talks ongoing to sell him to Benfica, it seems his time at Stamford Bridge may be coming to an end.
Félix, once one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, never fully found his rhythm in Chelsea blue. With Essugo stepping into his shirt number, and possibly his role, the club appears ready to turn the page.
Essugo is highly rated in Portugal for his energy, strength, and ability to control the midfield. While he’s still young, Chelsea fans will be eager to see how he adapts to the Premier League.
Losing a shirt number may seem small, but in football, it often hints at bigger changes. As Félix edges closer to an exit, Essugo’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter, one full of hope, ambition, and a fresh start in Chelsea’s evolving project.
