Nike take us back to the early ‘90s with leaked 2019-20 Chelsea home kit

Footy Headlines are back with their latest set of shirt leaks, including Chelsea’s home kit for the 2019-20 season.

After taking us back to the ‘70s two years ago and the ‘80s this season, NIke’s third effort looks to be taking us back to the ‘90s, taking inspiration from the Umbro sponsored home kits used during 1991/92 and 1992/93 seasons (seen at the top).

The 2019-20 Chelsea home shirt is described as sporting a predominantly ... wait for it ... “rush blue” colour (same as the last two years) with a white Nike Swoosh. There is an overall background print that is slightly darker than the base colour used for this season. The last time we had a similar concept for the home shirt was three years ago, in the last season of adidas (2016-17). This time, the background print is used to represent the stadium (Ed.note: which should be under construction by now, but that project remains on hold indefinitely).

Like this year’s kits, the shirt will have a red tab/panel at the back of the neck with ‘CFC’ printed on the inside. The shorts, as usual, will be blue, though the leaks claim blue socks (with a red and white stripe). Chelsea have not had home blue socks since 1991-92, which is the year that’s inspiring the shirt itself as well.

This will be the third effort of Nike’s 15-year contract with Chelsea and I can’t help but feel a little disappointed with their designs for us, especially when I see them churning out elegant kit after elegant kit for AS Roma, for example. Hopefully the away as well as the third kits will provide something better.