Olivier Giroud gives advice on how new Chelsea signing can break the No.9 'curse'

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Chelsea have made some significant additions to their squad in the ongoing summer transfer window.

One of those names on Chelsea's list of new signees include English star Liam Delap. The 22-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Ipswich Town on a six-year deal, triggering a reported release clause of £30 million.

Delap turned heads with his performances for Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 season, netting 12 goals and providing two assists in 40 appearances.

Following his arrival at the Blues, Delap is awarded the Number 9 shirt. This jersey has been worn by the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, and Radamel Falcao at Stamford Bridge and all of them have had their share of struggles.

While the jersey is an iconic one, concerns about Chelsea's No.9 curse also prevail. It has been observed that since the beginning, players who took over this shirt number at the Blues have struggled and never met expectations.

Now as Delap is set to don the No.9 shirt at Chelsea, former Blues star Olivier Giroud has shared some advice for the Man City graduate to break the curse.

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Giroud arrived at Chelsea from Arsenal in 2018 and continued there till 2021 and while he did not wear the No.9 shirt at the Blues, he was awarded that number at AC Milan.

When asked about the No.9 curse at Chelsea, Giroud recalled his own experience and told The London Standard that it is not the jersey but the demand and expectations that come when one plays in that position.

"When I signed for Milan, Paolo Maldini told me on the first Zoom I had with him, 'Are you sure about No.9? It's kind of cursed'. I said it's not about the number I have on my back which will make me be good and score goals. No, I want the nine. And then I've showed him there was no curse, I was doing well," he said.

"It's not about the number nine, it's about the position on the field and being a striker is very, very demanding. You can be under the spotlight when things go really well, but you are the first also on the front line when you are not scoring goals," added the Frenchman.

Giroud further stated that maintaining confidence and a strong mentality is necessary to succeed for a striker.

"You have to show some character and strength mentality wise. You need to be strong in your head, even in the tough moments stay confident and keep working hard. There's a lot of pressure when you play striker but for me it's the best in football. There's up and downs, you need to be ready for that," he said.

Giroud also shared his thoughts on Delap's arrival at Chelsea, and said,

"I think he's very talented. The boys will help him to settle will, I think he will be fine."

Delap has been included in Chelsea's squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. Giroud, meanwhile, is also making the trip to the United States with Los Angeles FC for the competition.

Chelsea and Los Angeles FC are pitted against each other in their first match of the Club World Cup, which is slated for June 16, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Georgia.