Kai Havertz and Cesar Azpilicueta had to be edited out of Chelsea’s new kit launch, leaked images show.
The Blues have released their kit for the 2023/24 season, with yellow and white sleeve trim, labelling it a throwback to their 1990s look.
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Modelling the new strip were two greats from that era, Dennis Wise and Roberto Di Matteo, joined by a cast of current Blues stars from the men’s and women’s teams.
It seems the photoshoot must have taken place quite a while ago, though, with leaked behind the scenes images featuring Azpilicueta and Havertz.
Captain Azpilicueta has now left the club for Atletico Madrid after a teary farewell, while Havertz has moved across London to rivals Arsenal.
Defender Trevoh Chalobah also didn’t make the cut from the original shot, perhaps alluding to a transfer, or perhaps there was just too much crossover with Havertz and Azpilicueta.
Chalobah has been linked to a number of Serie A sides, including Roma and Inter Milan, but looks more likely to stay during a summer of huge turnover at Stamford Bridge.
A number of other stars included in the shirt release are far more likely to stay, including record signing Enzo Fernandez and January arrival Mykhailo Mudryk.
England regulars Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Reece James made the cut, along with goalscoring machine Sam Kerr.
On top of the missing Havertz, Azpilicueta and Chalobah, the kit was also without a sponsor, which the club hope will be in place in time for the shirt to go on sale next month.
