Chelsea have released their new home kit without a main shirt sponsor (Picture: Chelsea FC)
Chelsea have launched their new kit for the upcoming Premier League season but with one notable omission.
The Blues’ new kit is based on the design the team wore during the 1997/98 campaign when the west London club won an historic domestic and European cup double.
A chaotic campaign, which saw Gianluca Vialli replace Ruud Gullit as player manager, ultimately culminated in Chelsea winning the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with a team that boasted the talents of Gianfranco Zola, Dennis Wise and Frank Lebouef.
Chelsea’s previous sponsorship agreement telecommunication company Three, worth £40 million a year, ended in the summer and the club have been on the lookout for a new partner.
Dennis Wise captained the Chelsea side which won the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup (Picture: Chelsea FC)
Alerting fans to the situation, Chelsea said in a statement: ‘Fans can purchase this season’s new but classic look on early access from 16 August via the Megastore at Stamford Bridge, our Official Online Store and nike.com.
‘The kit will be available via the wider marketplace from 23 August. Fans should be aware that the 2023/24 home kit that features on pitch may subsequently feature a front-of-shirt partner. The club will communicate any changes to the kit in due course.’
More to follow…
Slightly embarrassing for one of the biggest clubs in world football.