Chelsea’s new signing Antonio Rudiger will wear the number two shirt at Stamford Bridge.
The German international became Antonio Conte’s second signing of the summer, after goalkeeper Willy Caballero who joined on a free transfer from Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Rudiger has been playing his football in Italy for Serie A side Roma, also wearing the number two shirt in the Italian capital. Since his move from Stuttgart in 2015, Rudiger has been a key part of Roma’s defence and has made over 56 league appearances.
He signed a five year contract at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea are set to pay a fee up to £34 million. The Blues were highly linked with Rudiger last summer, but a move did not materialise due to an injury to the German.
Following the announcement of Rudiger’s signing, and that he will take the number two shirt, we take a look back at the last five players who have worn the jersey at Chelsea, and see how their careers unfolded at Stamford Bridge.
Branislav Ivanovic
The last player to wear number two at Chelsea was Branislav Ivanovic.
Joining the club in 2008 from Lokomotiv Moscow, Ivanovic spent nine years in West London and became a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge.
During his spell at Chelsea, the Serbian helped the Blues to win every major competition, including the Europa League after he scored a last minute winner against Benfica in the 2013 final.
Ivanovic left the club in January 2017 and returned to Russia, signing for Zenit St Petersburg.
Glen Johnson
Glen Johnson wore the number two shirt during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
The first signing under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, Johnson spent four years at Chelsea and was used mostly as a rotation player.
During the 2004/05 season, the right back made enough appearances to pick up a Premier League winners medal, as well as a winners medal for the 2005 League Cup final.
Johnson spent the 2006/07 season on loan at Portsmouth, before making the deal permanent the following season. The Englishman went onto play for Liverpool, and currently plays for Stoke City.
Albert Ferrer
Albert Ferrer spent five years at Chelsea, but only one as the club’s number two.
Joining the club in 1998 from Barcelona, Ferrer was originally given the number 18 shirt. The Spaniard was a key player in Chelsea’s defence for a number of years. Ferrer was handed the number two shirt during the 2002/03 season.
This would be his last season as a player, and the Spaniard retired at the age of 33. Ferrer has had a few, brief, managerial spells at Vitesse, Cordoba, and Mallorca.
Christian Panucci
Whilst on loan at Chelsea during the first part of the 2000/01 season, Christian Panucci wore the number two shirt.
The Italian’s spell at Stamford Bridge was brief, as he only made eight league appearances. He made a further two in Europe, scoring one goal.
Panucci went onto play for Monaco, and Parma but he will be remembered by football fans for his eight year spell at Roma. Since retiring, Panucci has been appointed as Fabio Capello’s assistant at Russia, as well as manager of Livorno, and Ternana.
Dan Petrescu
‘Super’ Dan Petrescu, as he’s commonly referred to as by fans, also was Chelsea’s number two.
The Romanian signed for Chelsea in 1995, and became a fan favourite during his time in West London. While at Chelsea, Petrescu helped the side to win the FA Cup in 1997, as well as the League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998.
Following five years at the club, Petrescu left Chelsea in 2000 and joined Bradford City. A spell at Southampton followed, before Petrescu returned to Romania to play for National Bucharest.
Petrescu has since embarked on a managerial career, and has managed a number of clubs. He is currently in charge of Romanian side CFR Cluj.
