Chelsea are switching kit suppliers for the first time in nine years this summer, having bought out the remaining years on the adidas contract to switch to Nike for the first time ever in club history. To say that the first kit designs from Nike are highly anticipated would be an understatement.
While about a month ago a simple blue swatch with a Nike swoosh made the rounds briefly, we could hardly call that a kit leak. Yes, the home shirt will be blue. I know, that may be shocking.
Finally. LEAKED: First Nike Chelsea 17-18 Kit Info: https://t.co/84fLwf0kxG
— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) January 28, 2017
But now, with the latest info from the generally on point Footy Headlines, we have our first kit leak for the new season. This is for the third shirt, which is generally a bolder and more outrageous design than the home or away shirt.
BREAKING: Nike Chelsea 17-18 Third kit design leaked: https://t.co/IPQmeLQV5R
— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) March 1, 2017
The color scheme of black and neon blue is reminiscent of the 2014-15 third kits:
Introducing @chelseafc's 2014/15 Third Jersey from @adidassoccer. Online here: http://t.co/No0MCThARI #allinCFC pic.twitter.com/ZTYRnotowJ
— SOCCER.COM (@soccerdotcom) July 23, 2014
Though the design looks to be quite a bit different this time around, with Nike going for a sort of camo pattern it would appears.
Leaked: First images of Chelsea's 2017-18 Nike merchandise https://t.co/NDW6e4yQKG pic.twitter.com/3B8a5xhf2g
— 101 Great Goals (@102greatgoals) March 1, 2017
The close up shot on Footy Headlines shows that rather than a full color badge, we should be expecting a monochromatic blue-black badge in line with the color scheme of the shirt. According to them, the shirts will have matching shorts.
Nothing too crazy so far, especially by third shirt standard. The camo pattern certainly beats the pyjama lions of this year’s home design or the garish yellow of the change strip.