Chelsea Women have confirmed their 2026/27 squad numbers, with Naomi Girma inheriting the No.4 shirt previously worn by former captain Millie Bright.
The United States defender is one of several players to receive a new number ahead of Chelsea’s WSL opener against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea confirmed the full squad list on Saturday, with Sandy Baltimore also taking the No.11 shirt previously worn by Guro Reiten.
Naomi Girma takes Chelsea No.4
Girma will now wear the same number Bright wore during her long spell as Chelsea captain.
That gives the shirt an obvious symbolic weight heading into the new season.
Bright retired earlier this year, with Erin Cuthbert subsequently named as Chelsea Women captain.
Chelsea also confirmed Lucy Bronze and Nathalie Bjorn will support Cuthbert as vice-captains.
Girma’s switch to No.4 therefore comes as part of a wider reshaping of the squad’s identity and leadership.
New Chelsea Women signings handed squad numbers
Several summer arrivals have also been handed their permanent numbers.
Melvine Malard will wear No.9, while former Arsenal defender Katie McCabe takes No.15.
Giulia Dragoni has been given No.16, Nelly Las will wear No.17, and Manaka Matsukubo takes No.29.
Sandy Baltimore has moved to No.11, with Wieke Kaptein switching to No.19 and Keira Walsh taking No.21.
Chelsea’s confirmed 2026/27 squad numbers include:
- 1 – Livia Peng
- 2 – Ellie Carpenter
- 4 – Naomi Girma
- 5 – Veerle Buurman
- 6 – Sjoeke Nusken
- 7 – Mayra Ramirez
- 8 – Erin Cuthbert
- 9 – Melvine Malard
- 10 – Lauren James
- 11 – Sandy Baltimore
- 12 – Alyssa Thompson
- 14 – Nathalie Bjorn
- 15 – Katie McCabe
- 16 – Giulia Dragoni
- 17 – Nelly Las
- 19 – Wieke Kaptein
- 21 – Keira Walsh
- 22 – Lucy Bronze
- 23 – Maika Hamano
- 24 – Hannah Hampton
- 25 – Lola Brown
- 26 – Kadeisha Buchanan
- 29 – Manaka Matsukubo
- 32 – Lexi Potter
- 33 – Aggie Beever-Jones
- 38 – Becky Spencer
- 42 – Chloe Sarwie
The announcement comes only hours before Chelsea begin their WSL campaign against Aston Villa.
The Blues face Villa at Stamford Bridge at 12:35pm, with the game shown live on the BBC.
