CHELSEA fans are convinced the club had to EDIT OUT two former players from their kit launch after leaked images showed the players in the new shirt.
Chelsea unveiled their new kit yesterday alongside the tagline ‘it’s a 90s thing’ which showcased the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez in the new kit.
twitter @chelseahq_A leaked photo featuring Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz was doing the rounds on Twitter[/caption]
instagram @chelseafcThe former stars did not make the final cut[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/chelseafc/The kit draws inspiration from the 90s[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/chelseafc/The launch featured legends Dennis Wise and Roberto Di Matteo[/caption]
But after a leaked image started doing the rounds on Twitter yesterday, fans put two and two together and realised some former stars had been airbrushed from the campaign.
The behind the scenes picture showed a number of ex and current Chelsea players posing with fans on a sofa.
And among the now ex-Chelsea players were Kai Havertz and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Former Chelsea captain Azpilicueta took particular prominence in the shoot, stood front and centre of the photo with his arms folded.
The Spaniard completed a move to Atletico Madrid last week, with the club agreeing to let him go on a free transfer after 11 years of service at the club.
Meanwhile Havertz appeared in the promotion sat next to Dennis Wise to the right of the shot.
Havertz departed Chelsea to join London rivals Arsenal in June in a £65m deal.
The sight of Havertz caused particular consternation with fans online, with one fan saying: “Just seen this picture and remembered Kai Havertz isn’t at Chelsea anymore ”
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Some eagle-eyed fans also pointed to the fact that Trevoh Chalobah appears in the original photo but did not make the final edit of the pictures – raising questions over his future.
But a picture featuring Chalobah has since been shared on the club’s Instagram page.
The kit launch also saw Chelsea become the first ‘big six’ team to release a shirt without a sponsor in the Premier League era.
The club have have so far failed to attract a front of shirt sponsor they deem financially lucrative enough – after their £40million-a-year deal with phone company Three ran out.
Todd Boehly had negotiated a deal with streaming service Paramount+ but it was blocked by the Premier League.
The club then entered negotiations with gambling company stake but a deal fell through after fan backlash.
With the kit not available to purchase until August 16 it is likely that the new shirt will not be released without a sponsor.
The club warned: “Fans should be aware that the 2023-24 home kit that features on pitch may subsequently feature a front-of-shirt partner.”