Joao Pedro of Chelsea during the 2025-26 campaign at Stamford Bridge

Joao Pedro is Chelsea's new No.9 ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.Imago

'We're finished' - Chelsea fans in meltdown at Joao Pedro news

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

19 Aug 2026, 6:52 pm

Chelsea supporters fear the worst for Joao Pedro despite an incredible 2025-26 campaign at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old notched 26 goals and seven assists in 55 games for the Blues last term, and is expected to continue that form.

In the Premier League, Enzo Fernandez came closest for goal contributions, six behind the in-form centre-forward in his first season at Chelsea.

Earlier in the summer window, Football Insider even revealed that Barcelona could make a move for his signature, which would have been a huge blow.

Xabi Alonso looks set to kick off the new season with him through the middle, supported by Danny Welbeck, Estevao and Pedro Neto.

However, with Chelsea now announcing the shirt numbers for the 2026-27 campaign, fans are worried about the club's famous "curse" coming back to haunt Pedro.

Joao Pedro 'cursed' by No.9 shirt at Chelsea

Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all came to Chelsea with massive expectations.

Upon donning the No.9 shirt, though, they were extremely underwhelming, ultimately seeking exits after limited time in West London.

If João Pedro doesn’t break the number 9 curse, that means there’ll be no one else… 😭

Dear João Pedro, are you the one to end this, or should we wait for another? 🥺💔 https://t.co/x7ZZD61lML pic.twitter.com/NKoFks01ZL
— F2P GAMER 🎮 (@Temple_cfc) August 19, 2026

We’re finished
— MAH (@matissearmani) August 19, 2026

This looks so good but he should’ve just stayed away from this shirt number 😭😭 https://t.co/b9VqCok1zd pic.twitter.com/p410b71GXY
— Ellis🥋 (@elIisburner) August 19, 2026

our striker wearing a cursed number #protection https://t.co/5cqqgZmErH pic.twitter.com/AybK7fh4NG
— chris (@ATR3lDES) August 19, 2026

Not sure how I feel seeing Joao Pedro with the cursed number 9… if anyone was going to break it though 😳 https://t.co/A61ysDXuo7
— Shannon Harrison (@Shann1301) August 19, 2026

Supporters are now afraid that Pedro could be the latest player impacted by the No.9 "curse," even after a mouthwatering first season at the club.

He takes the shirt number off Liam Delap, and very few would argue against him being a total flop after arriving from Ipswich Town.

Joao Pedro sends four-word message after confirmed Chelsea transfer

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Which shirt numbers have Chelsea's new signings been given?

So far, Chelsea have welcomed Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Welbeck, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson and Pep Chavarria.

Not all of them are likely to play week in week out. Rogers will wear 17, Lacroix has been given five, while Welbeck has 18 and Henderson has 14.

Fans are reading into Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has returned from his ban and immediately linked with loan exits, being given the No.33 shirt.

Only the new season kicking off will truly show Alonso's ideas for the future, but it hasn't stopped fans from worrying about Pedro, that's for sure.

Joao Pedro Ferreira Silva