Joao Pedro takes Chelsea’s fabled No.29 shirt

Joao Pedro will stride onto Stamford Bridge with the famous No.29 on his back, a number that once belonged to Kai Havertz and carries hefty expectations for any Chelsea newcomer.

Joao Pedro handed iconic No.29

Chelsea confirmed that their £60 million summer recruit will inherit Havertz’s former jersey, a shirt tied to moments such as the German’s Champions League-winning goal in 2021. By choosing the same digits, Pedro signals his readiness to become the club’s next big-game match-winner.

Why the number matters

At many clubs a shirt number is a formality, but Chelsea supporters invest meaning in their digits. From Frank Lampard’s No.8 to Didier Drogba’s No.11, great Blues are remembered by their numbers as much as their medals. Havertz’s sale to Arsenal vacated an iconic slot and fans were eager to learn who would claim it.

Pressure that comes with a £60m price tag

The 21-year-old Brazilian arrives with an impressive résumé: a breakthrough season in the Premier League, flexible attacking skills and the poise of a player far older. Yet Stamford Bridge can be unforgiving. Forwards such as Álvaro Morata and Timo Werner have discovered how quickly faith can evaporate when the goals dry up.

What Pochettino expects

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes Pedro’s dribbling, pressing and eye for goal complement his high-energy blueprint. With the Club World Cup on the horizon, Pedro is set to spearhead Chelsea’s bid for another international trophy and to forge an instant rapport with fellow youngsters Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Opinion

Handing Joao Pedro the No.29 feels both symbolic and sensible. If he thrives, Chelsea can finally turn the page on Havertz’s mixed legacy. Should he stumble, though, the shirt could weigh heavier than the £60m fee.