10 weird jersey numbers worn by footballers

Khalid Boulahrouz – 9 (Chelsea)

Circumstances forced Boulahrouz into wearing the number 9 at Chelsea

Boulahrouz had already acquired a reputation for himself when he arrived on the English shores to sign for Chelsea from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2006. The tough tackling Dutch defender, who was nicknamed “Khalid der Kannibale” (Khalid The Cannibal) was believed to be a perfect fit for a Jose Mourinho side courtesy of his solid defensive abilities.

However, even Boulahrouz might have been surprised when Chelsea decided to hand him a number 9 jersey, previously worn by Hernan Crespo, on his arrival. Number 9 was the only number available at the club and Khalid was handed the responsibility of donning the same. Needless to say, his number became a constant subject of jokes for fans of other clubs and to this day remains one of the most unusual numbers ever worn by a footballer.

As for his time at Chelsea, while Boulahrouz did start well, a spell on the sidelines coupled with the emergence of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho as a world class central defensive pair meant curtains for his time at Stamford Bridge and the Dutchman was shipped on a loan to Sevilla at the beginning of the 2007-08 season.