Six Chelsea players have not been given numbers by Thomas Tuchel

Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja have both returned from loan spells, while speculation is rife with a move for Marc Cucurella being done and dusted despite Brighton’s club statement suggesting it is not.

There are even links with Barcelona trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay.

And a flurry of new arrivals means a host of Chelsea stars will therefore be surplus to requirements for the new campaign.

Young defender Levi Colwill, who spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, has not been given a shirt number and looks set to join Brighton as part of the Cucurella deal.

Ross Barkley, who previously wore the No.8 and No.18 shirts for Chelsea, has not been given a number. He played six times in the Premier League last term and scored the club’s winning goal in the club’s last game against Watford.

£33million signing Michy Batshuayi finally looks set to leave the club after four loan spells at three clubs, with Brazilian Kenedy also certain to leave.

21-year-old Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour’s first-team future looks bleak after being in the Under-23 squad for pre-season.

He has attracted interest from Everton, while Wales international Ethan Ampadu could return to Italy on loan after last season at Venezia.

Sterling will take the No.17 he has worn in pre-season, with Gallagher and Broja wearing the No.23 and No.18 – numbers they both wore at Crystal Palace and Southampton last season respectively.

18-year-old starlet Chukwuemeka, who joined for £20 million, will wear the No.30.

Chelsea start the new Premier League season away to Everton under the management of record goalscorer and former manager Frank Lampard.