Manchester City announce official 16/17 Squad Numbers
With the summer transfer window closed, Manchester City hand out new shirts numbers to the players. A look at who got the coveted spots.
Unless players have a personal, special meaning with a particular number, they all want the 1 through 11 shirts. With a tremendous amount of activity both in and out of the Etihad this summer, changes were definite. Manchester City revealed the full, updated list of shirt numbers.
City had a number of key players, and starters, loaned or sold this summer transfer window. For a history on the traditional shirt numbers and the positions they are associated with, check here.
The first spot on any line-up is the goalkeeper, who normally wears the number 1 shirt, has been given to Claudio Bravo. With Joe Hart off to Torino, Bravo gets the chance to be Pep’s main man in the net.
The second big change is Ilkay Gungadon earning the number 8 jersey. The 8 shirt typically goes to the central midfielder, the player expected to manage the game on both the offensive and defensive fronts. It was Gungodan’s shirt number in Germany for Borussia Dortmund as well.
Interesting Notes:
– The No. 2 jersey is not being worn by anyone. Historically, it goes to the right full back. Zabaleta and Sagna already hold two of the defender first team jersey numbers, while Stones keeps his 24 shirt. Perhaps Pep is yet to feel anyone is his right back going forward, or none of the players desired a switch.
Next: Joe Hart's exit prompted by rise of City's young keeper
– Nolito has the 9 shirt which goes to the out and out striker, since Aguero already holds the player-maker 10 jersey. In modern times players have preferences of number over historical reference.
– The first team squad player with the highest number is Kelechi Iheanacho at 72. He has the chance to move up into the teens or twenty’s but elected to keep his number.
For a full list of Manchester City jersey shirt numbers you can view them here.