Dybala, Firmino, Pastore, Stones & Co - Here Are 10 Important 2017-18 Shirt Number Switches
With the new season kicking off in Europe these weeks and the summer transfer window almost over, it is a perfect moment to look at the most important shirt number switches of the summer. While you likely are already aware of the most important kit number changes (Dybala & Modric), several other players have changed their numbers for the 17-18 season, whether voluntary or forced by the club...
Javier Pastore - 10 -> 27
With Neymar joining Paris Saint-Germain, PSG's Argentinian forward Javier Pastore had to give up his No. 10 shirt for the shirt with No. 27.
He seemed to be not so happy with this as he commented "Henrique (PSG's sporting director) came asking for no. 10. It made me happy to have the number 10 kit between Ibra and Neymar. I like the 27."
Luka Modric - 19 -> 10
The exit of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich has opened the door for a new No. 10 at Real Madrid. Luka Modric took the chance to give up his No. 19 for the No. 10. Luka Modric is also wearing the No. 10 for the Croatian national team and also took the shirt with the No. 10 when playing for Dinamo Zagreb.
Luka Modric said: "I am proud to carry this number. When you look at who are the players who wore this number, they are all great players. This number is my favorite. I did not really think about changing it, but when this opportunity came, I could not miss it. Because it's the number I prefer, and now I'm with the number ten and I hope to show expectations, but in the end the number does not play.
I will continue to give everything for the team and in the field to help the team win. Regardless of the number, I will try to be equal and do things like I have done in the past, "he said, in words for the media of Real Madrid."
Franck Kessie - 19 -> 79
AC Milan youngster Kessie switched from No. 19 to No. 79 following on the arrival of Bonucci, who wanted to take his favorite shirt number 19. Kessie only received the number in June when he was signed by the Rossoneri from Atalanta.
Bonucci said: "I went on tiptoes, I talked to Kessie, and we agreed," I thank him, he's a smart and sensitive lad, he's a great investment for this club. For me 19 is an important number, I relied on it in difficult moments in my personal life and my career, so thank you again."
Lucas Perez - 9 -> 28
Arsenal's Lucas Perez wore the number nine shirt last season following his arrival in 2016 but with the Spaniard set to leave, he has been demoted to 28 in order to give Lacazette the No. 9 shirt. Lucas Perez's agent, Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle, told Press Association Sport that the Spaniard was unhappy with having his number nine shirt taken away from him without being asked.
Lucas Perez's agent said: "We have talked to everyone. Arsenal know we want to go, that there are no opportunities here, and next year there is a World Cup. Would you not be angry and sad and upset if you had your squad number taken without being asked?"
John Stones - 24 -> 5
With the departure of Roman Zabaleta to West Ham, John Stones has been quick to take the number. The defender also wore No.5 during his final season at Everton in the 2015-16 campaign.
Reacting to the switch, he wrote on Instagram: "Honoured to carry on the number 5 shirt from the legend that is Pablo! I hope to do it proud over the coming years."
Roberto Firmino - 11 -> 9
Following on Salah's arrival at Liverpool, Roberto Firmino requested to move to the No.9 shirt from the 2017-18 season. Firmino had been wearing the No. 11 shirt since joining the Reds in 2015.
"As a gesture to those fans who have already purchased the official 2017-18 jersey with Firmino's name and number 11 on the back, Roberto would like to offer supporters the opportunity to have them personally signed by him. All official 2017-18 season shirts with ‘Firmino 11’ printed on them should be sent to Anfield by August 18, 2017 with a stamped self-addressed envelope big enough to contain your jersey. It will then be signed by Firmino and returned using the self-addressed envelope."
Lukaku - 10 -> 9
Romelu Lukaku, who used to play with number 10 because of his mother's birthday on October 10, took No. 9 with the permission from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lukaku said: "I always asked my mother what number, and I used to play with the 10 because my mother's birthday is on Oct. 10, so it's the 10th month of the year. "Strikers play with No. 9. It's a nice number, and I asked the permission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to thank him, as well, for allowing me to wear that number."
After Memphis Depay's departure to Lyon in January and Wayne Rooney's move to Everton, Man Utd's No. 7 and No. 10 shirts are both vacant.
Paulo Dybala - 21 -> 10
Following rumors about a possible transfer to Barcelona, Juventus announced that the Argentinian Paulo Dybala will receive Juventus' iconic number 10 shirt that has been vacant since Pogba left the club.
James Rodriguez - 10 -> 11
It was rumored that James Rodriguez's contract with Adidas would include a clause that he has to wear the No. 10 shirt, but these rumors were denied by Adidas. And as Bayern München's No. 10 kit was already assigned to Robben, James has to be satisfied with No. 11 that .
Ochoa - 13 -> 8
Another interesting and quite strange shirt number switch comes from Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who chose to wear the No. 8 for Standard Liège instead of his usual 13 because his surname is very similar to the Spanish word for number eight ('ocho').
VfL Wolfsburg Changes Several Shirt Numbers
Various teams have changed several shirt numbers for the 2017-2018 season. One of them is VfL Wolfsburg, who gave several players new kit numbers, (Koen Casteels - 28 -> 1, Jakub Blaszczykowski - 14 -> 16, Paul-Georges Ntep - 9 -> 7).
What do you think of players switching shirt numbers during the summer? Have we missed any important switches? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
