Joining Chelsea in 2007, Florent Malouda arrived with aspirations and a request for the iconic number 7 shirt, previously worn by David Beckham.
However, manager Jose Mourinho had a different plan.
Malouda, fresh off a stellar season with Lyon and Ligue 1 Player of the Year honors, signed for £13 million to fill the void left by Arjen Robben’s departure.
While accustomed to the number 10 in France, he sought a fresh start with the number 7 at Stamford Bridge.
Number Denied, New Identity Found:
During his introductory meeting with Mourinho, Malouda’s request was swiftly shut down: “No, Sheva [Andriy Shevchenko] is number seven.
Forget about it.” Undeterred, Malouda adapted, embracing the number 15 previously worn by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
Success Beyond the Number:
Despite not obtaining his desired number, Malouda became a key contributor for Chelsea. He featured in 229 games, scoring 45 goals and assisting 41.
His trophy haul includes the club’s first Champions League title, a Premier League title, and three FA Cups.