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A list of five Premier League players who suffered the ignominy of losing their jersey number.
Although kit numbers are one of the peripheral aspects of the sport, they are sometimes status signals and indicators of hierarchy. The traditional numbers 1–11 are typically the most desired. Numbers like 10 are typically reserved for a team's most creative player, while for some clubs, history determines the prestige of the kit number, like Arsenal's #14.
This summer, some clubs have used kit numbers as a tool to communicate to some of their players that they are no longer desired or that their prominence has waned. These clubs have either stripped players of their issued numbers or reassigned them in the form of demotion. This article highlights some of those players.
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Super Eagles star stripped of his jersey number by Premier League club
Super Eagles forward’s future is in doubt after he was stripped of his jersey number by his club.
Raheem Sterling:
Pulse Sports reported that Chelsea are trying to rid themselves of Raheem Sterling and his seismic wages. He was dropped from the squads that faced Manchester City in the Premier League opener and Servette in the Conference League playoffs.
The clubs took the messaging a step further, stripping him of his number 7 jersey and reassigning it to a new signing, Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves this summer.
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He has yet to be reassigned another number, with the club hoping they won't have to, as he has been transfer-listed.
Sam Johnstone:
Sam Johnstone is another player who has received this treatment. With Dean Henderson having effectively replaced him as the first-choice goalkeeper, Crystal Palace yanked the No. 1 off him and handed it to the former Manchester United shot-stopper.
He was reassigned to No. 32, and he took to Instagram to react to the change, “the illustrious No. 32, last worn by Levi Lumeka in 2017/18,” with four laughing emojis.
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Paul Onuachu:
Nigeria's Paul Onuachu is another Premier League player who suffered the ignominy of kit number reassignment this summer.
His number 12 jersey was passed on to centre-back Ronnie Edwards, and he was shifted to No. 32.
Coach Russell Martin has spoken glowingly of Onuachu, but the club's decision to reassign his kit number shows their true stance on his level at the club. The lanky striker could well leave Southampton this summer, as Trabzonspor, the club he spent the last season on loan at, are intent on landing him, but they are far from Saints valuation of the player.
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Fabio Silva:
Once touted as the next best thing, Wolves shelled out £36.5 million for the services of young Fabio Silva. The club handed him the number 9 jersey; however, four years after his acquisition, he has yet to justify that price tag.
The club, seemingly prepared to move on from him, have given his No. 9 jersey to their new signing from Celta Vigo, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Trevor Chalobah:
Chalobah is another Chelsea player on this list. With the club's transfer strategy of selling homegrown players for their FFP benefits, the 24-year-old is one of the casualties, having been transfer-listed by the club.
He is yet to leave, however, but his No. 12 jersey has been taken away from him. He is not lacking in suitors; however, the parties attracted are unwilling to meet Chelsea's £25 million valuation.
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