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Liam Delap, Chelsea’s latest acquisition from Ipswich Town, is set to wear the club’s infamous No.9 jersey in his debut season at Stamford Bridge following his £30 million transfer. The young forward will be hoping to end what many fans and former players have described as a long-standing curse associated with the shirt.

Across football history, some of the greatest strikers to ever play the game—from Alan Shearer and Ronaldo to Gabriel Batistuta and Robert Lewandowski—have proudly worn the No.9 shirt for their clubs and countries. Yet at Chelsea, the number seems to carry a different kind of weight, often coinciding with poor form and unfulfilled potential. Former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel even once admitted that he believed the number might indeed be “cursed”.

Delap’s decision to take on the No.9 shirt is therefore a bold one. The England Under-21 international will be the first player to wear it since the 2022–23 campaign. With that, a big question arises—can he be the one to finally lift the long-standing curse?

Here’s a look back at the players who have previously worn Chelsea’s No.9 and how each of them fared.

The Early Premier League Years (1992–2000)

The first player to sport the No.9 in Chelsea’s Premier League era was Tony Cascarino, from 1992 to 1994. Unfortunately, his time set an ominous tone for the number, as the Republic of Ireland striker managed only six league goals across two seasons.

The next two players did somewhat better. Mark Stein, between 1994 and 1996, scored a commendable 25 goals in 63 appearances—a notable performance in Chelsea’s pre-Roman Abramovich mid-table days. Following him, Gianluca Vialli became an icon in the shirt from 1996 to 1999, leading the club to victories in the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup before transitioning into the managerial role in 1998.

But the curse returned in 1999–2000, when Chris Sutton joined from Blackburn Rovers for £10 million and netted only once in the league all season.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2000–04)

Before exploring the disappointments, it’s only fair to acknowledge one of Chelsea’s greatest strikers—Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Signed for a club-record £15 million from Atletico Madrid, he immediately made his mark, scoring 26 goals in his debut season and 29 in the following campaign (2001–02). Though his form dipped slightly in his later years, he remained a key figure until his departure to Middlesbrough in 2004.

Mateja Kezman (2004–05)

The 2004–05 season was historic for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, who led them to a Premier League title. However, while the likes of Frank Lampard shone, Mateja Kezman—signed from PSV with high expectations—struggled to adapt. The Serbian striker scored just four goals in 25 appearances before being sold to Atletico Madrid.

Hernan Crespo (2005–06)

Hernan Crespo took over the No.9 shirt after Kezman’s departure and contributed 13 goals across all competitions as Chelsea clinched back-to-back league titles. Despite his valuable performances, Crespo never fully settled in England and returned to Italy on loan before leaving permanently.

Khalid Boulahrouz (2006–07)

Perhaps the most unexpected No.9 in Chelsea’s history, Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz wore the number after joining from Hamburg. He rarely featured due to injuries and form issues, and his single season at Stamford Bridge was largely forgettable.

Steve Sidwell (2007–08)

By this point, the No.9 shirt had become synonymous with short-lived disappointment. Midfielder Steve Sidwell joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Reading after an impressive campaign but struggled to meet expectations. Despite making 25 appearances, he was sold after just one season.

Franco Di Santo (2008–09)

Franco Di Santo’s brief spell as Chelsea’s No.9 added little to the legacy. The young Argentine striker failed to score in eight Premier League appearances before being loaned to Blackburn Rovers and later joining Wigan Athletic.

Fernando Torres (2011–14)

After a gap without a No.9, Chelsea broke the British transfer record in 2011 to sign Fernando Torres from Liverpool for £50 million. Expectations were enormous, but the Spaniard’s time at the club is often remembered as one of the Premier League’s biggest disappointments. Though he had moments of brilliance—such as his famous goal that sealed Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League final spot—he also endured a 903-minute goal drought and several notorious misses, including one against Manchester United.

Radamel Falcao (2015–16)

Following a season without a No.9, Chelsea brought in Radamel Falcao after his underwhelming loan at Manchester United. Unfortunately, his struggles continued at Stamford Bridge, managing just one goal in 10 appearances before returning to Monaco.

Alvaro Morata (2017–18)

After another break from using the number, Chelsea signed Alvaro Morata for £70 million. The Spanish striker started brightly but faded quickly, failing to live up to expectations and eventually being loaned out after 18 months. Upon returning, he switched to the No.29 shirt to escape the hex.

Gonzalo Higuain (2019)

Gonzalo Higuain’s six-month loan spell in 2019 added another name to the list of forgettable No.9s. The Argentine forward, despite his impressive pedigree, managed only five goals in 18 appearances and appeared off the pace throughout his time in London.

Tammy Abraham (2019–21)

With Frank Lampard at the helm and a transfer embargo in place, academy graduate Tammy Abraham was given the No.9. He impressed in his first season, scoring 18 goals and helping Chelsea secure a Champions League spot. However, a dip in form, injury problems, and the arrival of Tuchel curtailed his progress. Abraham moved to Roma in 2021 but remains one of the few bright spots in the shirt’s recent history.

Romelu Lukaku (2021–22)

Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5 million return to Chelsea was expected to end the long-standing striker problem. Instead, it revived the curse. The Belgian scored only eight league goals amid injuries, poor form, and off-field controversy. He was loaned to Inter and Roma before joining Napoli in 2024.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2022–23)

Signed from Barcelona for just over £10 million, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reunited with Tuchel—his former Borussia Dortmund coach. But Tuchel’s early sacking left the striker unsettled. He scored only once in 15 league appearances and was left out of the Champions League knockout squad by Graham Potter before being released and later joining Marseille.

Now, with Liam Delap stepping into the No.9 shirt, Chelsea fans wonder whether the young forward can finally put an end to decades of disappointment—or if the curse will strike once again.