After a somewhat disappointing campaign (wearing shirt #17) and a definitely disappointing stint at Euro 2016, Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma (i.e. Pedro) has decided to try his luck with a brand new shirt number. Certainly not the worst idea in the world, though his choice of #11 is a bit of a surprise, especially considering that the #7, his long-time number at Barcelona is open (Ramires had it before leaving in January). The number he's switching to instead is the same one he wore at Euro 2016.
Pedro will take the no.11 shirt - vacated by the departure of Pato - having worn no.17 during his first campaign. https://t.co/Kbdx2L3uu2
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) June 30, 2016
Of course, the #11 is famous as Didier Drogba's number (or, if you're slightly older, Dennis Wise's number), but it's had multiple owners over the last few seasons. Oscar had it for two years, before Drogba took it back for our title-winning campaign and his farewell tour. When Drogba left (again), Juan Cuadrado grabbed it, before he himself was sent on his merry way. The shirt then stood empty until January, when Alexandre Pato tried it on for good luck. Hopefully it works out better for Pedrito than it did for Duckie.
Wonder who will take #17 now, if anyone? In the last three seasons, it's belonged to Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah, Pedro, and even Baba Rahman for a couple days. Before you ask, Batshuayi wears #22 for both Marseille and Belgium; that currently belongs to Willian.
(As usual, Chelsea will exchange for free any 2016-17 replica shirts that may have been bought with PEDRO 17 on the back.)