The reigning Premier League Champions confirmed the signature of Ross Barkley on Friday evening, but one key decision hasn’t left all Chelsea fans impressed with the team or player.
According to BBC Sport, the Blues have spent £15million to secure the services of the 24-year-old from Merseyside giants Everton, while Chelsea’s official website note how the attacker has been handed the number 8 shirt having penned a five-and-a-half-year deal at the club.
Brazil international Oscar was the last Chelsea player to wear that jersey number, but it comes with huge significance considering that club legend Frank Lampard was the former owner of the No 8 during his brilliant spell at the west London club where he broke the team’s records and won major titles with the Blues.
The former midfield star netted 211 goals in 648 matches to become the side’s all-time top scorer, and won three English Premier League titles, four English FA Cups, the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League.
Ross Barkley undoubtedly has big shoes to fill and will be keen to live up to expectations that come alongside the No.8 shirt, and majority of the Chelsea fans will support him to fulfill that bid.
However, some fans were not impressed with the idea as some feel Barkley shouldn’t have been handed the shirt number.
