2023 Fifa U20 World Cup Golden Ball winner handed Chelsea shirt number last worn by Madueke

With a statement on their official website, Premier League side Chelsea have announced that 2023 Fifa U20 World Cup Golden Ball winner, Cesare Casadei has been allocated the number 31 kit for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season. 
 

The Italy U21 international spent the first half of the campaign at Championship promotion candidates Leicester City and was recalled by parent club Chelsea in January after playing in 25 games in which he scored three goals and registered two assists. 

Casadei made his Chelsea debut against Liverpool on Wednesday night, wearing the number 31 at the back of his jersey. 

The highly-rated midfielder inherits the number 31 jersey from England U21 international of Nigerian descent Noni Madueke, who wore the shirt in the second half of the 2022-2023 campaign following his move from PSV Eindhoven. 

George Weah, Africa's only player to win the Ballon d'Or, wore Chelsea's number 31 jersey during his loan spell in the second half of the 1999-2000 season. 

Other players to have worn the number 31 for Chelsea include onetime Nigeria Football Federation target Fikayo Tomori, Malang Sarr, Nathan Baxter, Jamie Cumming, Rob Green, Andreas Christensen, Filipe Oliveira, Marco Ambrosio and Mark Bosnich.

Madueke opted to wear Chelsea's number 11 shirt at the start of the 2023-2024 season. 

The Anglo-Nigerian winger made a rare start for the Blues on Wednesday as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of table-toppers Liverpool at Anfield. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com 

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