Los Angeles striker Olivier Giroud has expressed strong support for Chelsea’s new summer signing, Liam Delap, backing the young forward to thrive at the club despite the weight of wearing the number nine shirt.
Giroud dismissed the notion that Chelsea’s number nine jersey is “cursed,” a belief fueled by a string of high-profile players—such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, Radamel Falcao, and Fernando Torres—who struggled to make a lasting impact while wearing it.
Delap recently joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town on a six-year deal and will don the iconic but scrutinized number nine shirt, which has remained vacant since Aubameyang’s departure from Stamford Bridge.
Speaking ahead of Los Angeles’ FIFA Club World Cup clash with Chelsea on Monday, Giroud addressed the pressure often associated with the number and gave his endorsement of Delap’s potential.
“When I signed for Milan, Paolo Maldini told me, ‘Are you sure about No.9? It’s kind of cursed…’ I said, ‘No, I want the nine!’ I showed him there was no curse,” Giroud shared in a pre-match interview. “[Delap] is very talented. He will be fine.”
Although Giroud previously played for Chelsea, he never wore the number nine shirt during his time at the club. Now 38, the French international has also had notable spells with Arsenal and AC Milan and is preparing to face his former team at the Club World Cup.
