Nike has teamed up with English Premier League football club Chelsea FC to unveil the team's new home shirt for the 2022-23 season, which is designed to pay tribute to Ted Drake, one of the most important figures in the club's history.
Drake joined Chelsea as manager in 1952, 70 years on, and his influence is still strongly felt at Stamford Bridge. The theme of remembering Drake has been continued in the design of the club's home shirt for the new season and some of the innovative changes he made in modernising Chelsea have been recognised as one of the most significant turning points in the club's history.
The visionary former Chelsea boss is best remembered for winning the club's first top-flight title in 1955. On the other hand, he has completely transformed the club off the pitch, made a huge contribution and left a long-term legacy for Chelsea, which is on display in the new season home shirt.
Drake changed Chelsea's nickname from "The Pensioners" to "The Blues", which he believes is more appropriate for The dynamic team he has built. The "Blues" name has stuck ever since and will also feature in the new shirt collar button details.
The new shirt collar also shows another change Drake made to Chelsea that has also stood the test of time. He introduced the iconic "Roaring Blue Lion" on the club's crest, replacing the image of Chelsea's retired veterans as the spiritual core of the team under the legendary manager.
The Chelsea BADGE NOW LARGELY RESEMBLES THE ONE FIRST WORN ON THE TEAM'S SHIRT IN 1960-61, Drake's final season in charge AT Stamford BRIDGE, AND THE "Roaring Blue Lion" still exists, continuing to inspire the Blues to fight for glory. The EMBLEM SYMBOLISES Chelsea'S DETERMINATION AND FEARlessness, WITH THE LION APPEARING in a turQUOISE pattern ON THE neckLINE. This detail is reminiscent of the 1950s but with a contemporary twist, and today it feels as fresh as Drake's vision of the future.
Nike jerseys are produced sustainably, with both the player and fan versions made from 100% recycled polyester fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Plastic bottles are collected, cleaned and melted down To make high-quality yarn as part of Nike's "Move To Zero" commitment To sustainability.
