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The first preseason match brought us a few interesting developments, including the first of what will hopefully be many impressive appearances from wingers Victor Moses and Bertrand Traore. Moses started on the left, (red?)-bully-ing his way through the Red Bulls defense on multiple occasions. Young Traore started on the right, and after a nervous and rather haphazard opening few minutes, settled in to confidently show off some of his silky skills. The two switched at one point, and looked equally dangerous as more traditional wingers, with their strong foot matching the flanks on which they were deployed. Moses just missed a wonderful chipped goal, while Traore really should've picked up an assist when Remy contrived to miss a wide open goal from five yards out.
Other than seeing them both in action in a Chelsea shirt for the first time in two preseasons, we've also managed to glean what shirt numbers they will most likely be wearing this upcoming season. While numbers worn in preseason aren't always foolproof indicators, 90% of the time, they are correct every time.
BERTRAND TRAORÉ — #14
The 19-year-old picks up the number that has stood empty since André Schürrle left the club in January. Hopefully, Traoré picks up the hole in my heart that has stood empty since André Schürrle left the club in January as well, and punts it into the Sun. Traoré will be just the second player since 2008 to wear #14 at Chelsea. Previous long-term occupants included Graeme Le Saux (local hero) and the often useful Gérémi.
VICTOR MOSES — #20
Moses had worn #13 in his first season at Chelsea, when he helped us win the Europa League, but those lucky digits have since passed on to our first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. So Moses picks up the vacant #20 shirt, which last had a full-time occupant in 2009-10 with Deco. Josh McEachran also wore it for a while in 2011-12.
OLA AINA — #34
The young defender isn't expected to feature during the actual season, but for now, he's taken Ryan Bertrand's old number as a fellow full back. Last season, the #34 belonged to Lewis Baker, though he did not make a competitive appearance.
DOMINIC SOLANKE — #35
We tend to assign numbers in the 30s to the academy youngsters, and Solanke thus keeps the #35 he had last season.
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK — #36
Loftus-Cheek also keeps his number from last season. He could theoretically pick up something like a #16 that's more befitting his status as a confirmed first-team member (or even the #6 that Nathan Aké had last season), but perhaps he'll play it safe and stay with a higher number instead. The Chelsea MegaStore's official kit printings are going with #36 as well.