In the ever-changing world of football, shirt numbers don’t just represent players—they tell stories.
And at Chelsea, the story surrounding the iconic No. 10 shirt has taken an unexpected turn.
The club has officially handed the number to Cole Palmer, marking a significant shift, while Mykhailo Mudryk, who once wore it, finds himself on the sidelines both literally and symbolically.
Palmer Steps Up as Chelsea’s New No. 10
Chelsea confirmed the big change through an official statement that focused solely on Cole Palmer.
The 22-year-old will now wear the No. 10 jersey starting with the 2025/26 campaign, kicking off at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Since joining from Manchester City in September 2023, Palmer had been wearing No. 20, but his strong performances seem to have earned him the step up.
The club’s statement noted that Palmer could make his No. 10 debut when Chelsea face Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on June 16.
However, fans were also reminded that squad numbers aren’t set in stone just yet.
Final numbers will be confirmed after the summer transfer window closes.
Mudryk’s Name Omitted, But Not Forgotten
Notably, Chelsea’s announcement didn’t mention Mudryk at all—an omission that spoke volumes.
The Ukrainian winger, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a hefty £89 million from Shakhtar Donetsk, has been suspended since testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance.
The 24-year-old hasn’t played since November, and while he hasn’t been formally released from the club, losing his shirt number hints at a deeper fallout.
Reports suggest that he may be assigned a new number ahead of the new season, but no official word has been given.
A Quiet Presence Off the Pitch
Despite his suspension, Mudryk made a surprise appearance in Poland to support his teammates during their Conference League final win over Real Betis.
He was even seen celebrating with Enzo Fernandez, medal around his neck, smiling for photos after Chelsea’s 4-1 victory.
Chelsea’s new boss Enzo Maresca admitted during a press conference that he wasn’t even aware Mudryk was in the country.
Still, the winger seemed happy to be part of the celebrations—even if just in the background.
From Provisional Ban to Public Silence
Following his provisional suspension in December, Mudryk insisted he had done nothing wrong.
In a statement posted to Instagram, he expressed shock and confusion over the positive test, claiming he had never knowingly taken a banned substance.
He said he was working with his team to find out how the substance ended up in his system.
Due to the confidentiality of the case, he hasn’t said much more since—but the statement made it clear he hoped to return to football soon.
A Rare Appearance at Usyk vs. Fury
Mudryk briefly stepped back into the public eye in late December, attending Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight boxing rematch against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.
The appearance raised eyebrows, considering his situation with Chelsea, but it also showed that the winger wasn’t completely hiding from the spotlight.
Social Media Silence—and a Single Emoji
For months, Mudryk stayed silent on social media.
But in April, he finally broke that silence—if only slightly.
When Chelsea posted highlights from a 2-0 win over Fulham the previous season, where he had scored, Mudryk dropped a single tear emoji in the comments.
It was a quiet but emotional reminder of a time when things looked a lot more promising for him at Stamford Bridge.
What’s Next for Mudryk?
With his No. 10 jersey now officially passed on to Cole Palmer, Mudryk’s future at Chelsea remains unclear.
Will he reclaim a place in the squad next season with a new shirt number?
Or does this signal a slow exit from the club? For now, both the fans and the club are watching and waiting.
One thing is certain—Cole Palmer now carries the weight and legacy of Chelsea’s No. 10, while Mudryk continues to fight for redemption behind the scenes.