Chelsea have released their new home kit for the 2023/24 season after weeks of waiting for supporters. Following the reveal of their new training kit range last week, sponsored by Trivago, the new matchday jerseys have also been revealed.
With several days of teasers being put out on the club's social media channels, the official announcement has now come with confirmation of an ode to the 1997/98 team that won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup as well as League Cup with a fourth-placed Premier League finish.
"While changes take place at the club, the pride stays the same. Interior shirt detail nods to exactly this - Chelsea FC remains the ‘Pride of London," the official club announcement reads. The top, which has been revealed without a front of shirt sponsor due to ongoing issues securing a viable partnership, includes a golden club badge and Nike logo with the standard blue chest plate.
Without the flashy background patterns and textures of past years, Chelsea have gone with a minimalist design including white underarms and a white sleeve outline. There is also a white strip inside the collar in similar concept to the 1998 shirt which is one of the most popular in recent memory.
The most notable part is the lack of primary sponsor, though. Chelsea's three-year deal with mobile phone giants, Three, ended on June 30 and no further confirmation of a new partner has been made. Despite seperate agreements with Oman Air and Hilton as official airway and hotel partners, a final main sponsor is still missing.
After reports emerged that gambling and casino company, Stake, were in talks to take up such a slot, the Chelsea Supporters' Trust issued a damning statement following a letter sent to the club's owners, expressing worry at such a deal. Now, with no further decision made, Chelsea have taken a unique stance to release their kit without a sponsor.
Within the release of the kit, the club said: "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."
They are the only top division side in England to do such a thing this season, though Serie A giants Roma are in a similar position. Chelsea now travel to America for their pre-season tour and will be able to show off their new style to fans USA. The shirt will be available for fans to purchase by August 16.
