Other than the red accents, the collar was the most visible and also most controversial feature of this year's home shirts. Opinions ran the full gamut on the henley collar, the two-button placket proving oddly small, yet also anything but unobtrusive.
For next season's shirts, adidas once again have come up with something new for the collar, if Footy Headlines' leaks turn out to be true (alongside Todo Sobre Camisetas, FH were also spot on with most of their leaks last season).
Chelsea 2016-2017 Home Kit Leaked: https://t.co/6LklsjBq2r
— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) December 29, 2015
Alongside the previous leaked design feature of the faded lion pattern in the background of the fabric, this shirt leak also features the traditional three stripes down the side rather than on the shoulder. We've seen this configuration in other (fake) mock-ups, as well as a few national team shirts from adidas recently. The template definitely seems to be one that's also used for the Russia kit, for example.
Leaked: Chelsea’s home shirt for the 2016-17 season is covered with lions https://t.co/3fawt5eIzD pic.twitter.com/N3Vr4fKgZZ
— Stadion Bola (@stadionbola) December 29, 2015
The collar from the Russia kit also seems to have made it over, and once again it's not a traditional design. Instead of a simple crew or a v-neck, the collar is notched, perhaps imitating an actual, real collar folded down. Except there is no real collar, it's just a blue-on-blue illusion. It's tough to describe. It's also certainly different, though I'm not sure I'm particularly keen on it at first glance.
What do you think?