Chelsea’s Nike third kit for 2023/24, launched and on sale with early access today, has an eye-catching, fresh new look but dig back into history and you will find its vision stems from our past.
The mint foam colour prominent on shirt, shorts and socks is inspired by two kits worn many decades apart, with the new strip to be used for the first time during our Premier League match at Bournemouth on Sunday.
An old shirt with the new
Eton Blue. A Chelsea Original
The first inspiration is the Eton Blue the very first Chelsea players sported, its use back then originating from the racing colours of our club president and a lighter shade than the blues for which Chelsea became renowned. It lasted for two seasons but that 1905-07 look has not been forgotten.
A colourised version of the original squad photo from 1905 – giving an indication of what players looked like in the original shirt colour Eton Blue© Colourised by Chelsea FC
Collectors’ Item
Joining it in the creation of the third kit for this season is the ‘jade’ hue away kit from 1986/87, by which time the likes of JT Robertson and George ‘Gatling Gun’ Hilsdon had been replaced by Colin Pates and Kerry Dixon as stars of the day.
Holding a special place in Blues kit history, the Chelsea Collection clothing of that year was made in-house and the second strip achieved a level of cult status with its colour repeated in the shirt that followed.
Pat Nevin in the Chelsea Collection away kit of 1986/87
With the eras now harmonised and brought forward to today, a black trim and wolf grey pattern completes the new third kit which for fabric and fit, benefits from Nike Dri-FIT ADV advanced technology, helping keep the modern player drier for 90+ minutes.
First Chance To Buy
Following on from our new home and away kits, the third kit completes the launch for 23/24 and Chelsea fans have special early access to purchase it now from the Megastore at Stamford Bridge and from our official online store
Please note: There is currently no ‘front of shirt’ branding. If a ‘front of shirt’ partner is announced in the future, fans will have the opportunity to purchase this version via our Megastore or online store.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer fans the opportunity to return blank shirts for partner branding to be applied post-purchase.