Pochettino Vows Next Chelsea Striker Will Wear ‘Cursed’ Number 9 Shirt Amid Lukaku Exit Talks

Chelsea is gearing up to host Luton Town at Stamford Bridge, aiming to secure their first victory of the season. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has addressed the much-discussed notion of a "cursed" number 9 shirt within the team. Currently, this shirt is associated with Romelu Lukaku, although it remains unclaimed as he is anticipated to depart.

Mauricio Pochettino is actively working to dispel the belief that Chelsea's number 9 shirt is cursed. During the allocation of new season numbers, current players intentionally avoided this number. Pochettino assumed the managerial role at Chelsea subsequent to a disastrous season marked by four managerial changes and a 12th-place finish – the club's lowest ranking in nearly three decades.

Following a successful undefeated pre-season, culminating in victory in the inaugural Premier League Summer Series, Pochettino's team has encountered a streak of winless matches in the new season. He remains optimistic that this trend will reverse against newly-promoted Luton Town in the upcoming fixture.

Among Chelsea's first-team members, Mykhailo Mudryk has recently joined the injury roster, swelling the count to nine sidelined players. This list includes captain Reece James. However, the return of Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja is imminent.

Pochettino's Perspective on the Number 9 Shirt

A prevailing sentiment exists at Stamford Bridge that the club's number 9 jersey carries a curse. Notable players who have worn this shirt, such as Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Fernando Torres, and Alvaro Morata, have faced challenges while donning it. The last individual to truly excel in this shirt was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Academy standout Tammy Abraham also performed credibly, netting around 30 goals across two seasons before his departure.

Contrary to the notion of a curse, Pochettino believes that the shirt itself is not inherently ill-fated. He asserts that the energy and perception surrounding it need to be transformed. During his press conference leading up to the Luton game, he emphasized this perspective, stating, "If we bring in another striker, I will ensure they wear the number nine jersey and work to shift the prevailing sentiment that this number carries ill luck." Pochettino humorously remarked, "To alter the energy, I plan to gather all the number nine shirts and conduct a symbolic ritual to break the supposed curse."

The most recent wearer of the number 9 shirt was Aubameyang, who departed to join Olympique Marseille. Presently, the shirt is associated with Lukaku, albeit provisionally as he is projected to leave the club.