Ukrainian player Olise has a competitor: Garnacho chooses an unusual number at Chelsea.

According to The Sun: Alejandro Garnacho hopes to return to regular appearances after his recent move to Chelsea.

This Argentine winger joined the Blues from Manchester United in August 2025 for £40 million.

Garnacho made 58 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils last season, where he scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists.

The 21-year-old forward will have to compete for a place on the flanks at Chelsea, where Jamie Gittens, Estevan, and Pedro Neto are already playing.

Garnacho will definitely attract fans' attention when he takes to the field in a blue shirt, not only thanks to his skills.

He has chosen an unusual number on his shirt for his first season in West London.

Why does Alejandro Garnacho wear number 49 at Chelsea?

Garnacho was unable to take number 17, which he wore at Manchester United, as that number already belonged to midfielder Andrey Santos.

Thus, the Argentine chose quite an unusual number 49.

This number he wore during his first two seasons in the first team of Manchester United, so the choice is quite understandable.

Who else wore number 49 at Chelsea?

Only four players have worn number 49 in Chelsea's squad.

Last season it was worn by Richard Olise, brother of Michael Olise from Bayern Munich, but he did not play any matches for the first team.

Prior to that, number 49 was worn by Jimmy Tauriainen in the 2023/24 season, John Swift in 2013/14, and the most famous of all – Scott Sinclair in 2006/07.

Garnacho's transfer to Chelsea opens up new opportunities for the development of his career. At the same time, the competition on the team's flanks is palpable, which will force him to work with maximum effort in training. Number 49 could become a symbol of a new stage in his professional life.