Shirt numbers Xavi Simons could wear at Chelsea

Chelsea are reportedly making significant strides in their pursuit of Dutch international Xavi Simons, with negotiations with RB Leipzig now said to be at an advanced stage.

The 22-year-old playmaker, who spent last season on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, has been a standout performer in the Bundesliga and is now firmly on Chelsea’s radar as the club continues to strengthen under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

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Initially linked with both Chelsea and Arsenal, Simons now appears closer to a Stamford Bridge move. While both London clubs can offer Champions League football next season, Arsenal have reportedly made Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze their top attacking target. That shift has left Chelsea with a clearer path to secure Simons’s signature.

Reports earlier this week suggested that Chelsea had already made progress in agreeing personal terms with the Netherlands international, and now Fabrizio Romano confirms that club-to-club talks between Chelsea and Leipzig are progressing in a “positive direction.”

Simons Impressed by Chelsea Project

Simons is believed to be enthusiastic about the Chelsea project under Maresca, who is aiming to build a dynamic, attack-minded team capable of competing both domestically and in Europe. Despite the potential for fierce competition in the attacking third, Simons is reportedly keen to be part of the squad rebuild.

A highly versatile forward, Simons can operate across the frontline but has often thrived either off the left wing or in a central playmaker role behind the striker. However, competition for places will be stiff — Cole Palmer is expected to continue in the No.10 role, while new arrival Jamie Gittens and academy graduate Tyrique George are also pushing for starting spots out wide.

That said, the potential departures of Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, and Christopher Nkunku could open the door for Simons to play a major role next season. Across all competitions with Leipzig, Simons contributed 21 goals and 23 assists in just 76 appearances, highlighting his attacking impact.

Which Shirt Number Could Simons Take?

At Leipzig, Simons wore the iconic number 10, but that shirt is currently in the hands of Cole Palmer at Chelsea. His national team number, 7, also belongs to Pedro Neto following his move to Stamford Bridge.

However, with Noni Madueke’s move to Arsenal, Chelsea’s No.11 shirt is now vacant — a jersey previously worn by club legends such as Didier Drogba, Dennis Wise, and Graeme Le Saux. Simons could be next in line to wear the number, especially if he completes his move in the coming days.

Other available shirt numbers include 13, 18 (if Nkunku leaves), 26, and 28, though the No.11 seems a fitting choice for a player of Simons’s flair and attacking pedigree.

Final Steps Awaited

While an agreement is not yet finalized, all indications point toward a breakthrough. Simons’s desire to join Chelsea, coupled with positive negotiations on both the club and player sides, suggests it is only a matter of time before a deal is struck.

If completed, Simons would be Chelsea’s latest statement signing — one that aligns perfectly with Maresca’s ambition to return the club to the top of English and European football.

Shirt numbers Xavi Simons could wear at Chelsea