Chelsea fans in despair as ‘disgusting’ new home kit is finally confirmed
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Chelsea have finally unveiled their new kit for the 2022/23 season prompting groans of disappointment from fans.
Images of the new Nike design have been leaking online for weeks with supporters desperately hoping that they were fakes, but their worst fears have now been confirmed.
The design – which pays homage to iconic former Blues manager Ted Drake, the man who led the club to its first ever league title in 1955 – features a top button and a bizarre white and turquoise collar that was branded "disgusting" by fans on social media within minutes of the unveiling.
READ MORE: Chelsea fans rage as new kit leaked online with "horrendous" collar and pattern
"Second year with a disgusting home kit," one fan tweeted.
"Where is the dislike button when you need it," another posted, while a third wrote: "This s*** is whack. Can we please go back to Adidas?"
A fourth said: "This is absolutely vile. Nike at it again. Just terrible."
Despite the controversial design, fans were loving the unveiling: a video featuring the likes of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, Mason Mount, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Chelsea women's manager Emma Hayes.
What do you make of Chelsea's new kit? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic, both of whom have been linked with exits this summer, also made an appearance, suggesting to optimistic fans that they might be staying.
It's hard to tell on first glance, but the divisive turquoise collar features a lion design, intended as a tribute to Drake on the 70th anniversary of his appointment as manager.
The former Arsenal and England forward revolutionised the Stamford Bridge club in the 50s, not only by building their first ever title-winning team, but by changing the club's nickname (from 'the Pensioners' to 'the Blues') as well as its crest (from a Chelsea Pensioner to a lion).
Chelsea kept Drake's new crest for 36 years before it was modernised by new owner Ken Bates in 1986, but during the club's centenary year in 2005 they adopted a new crest – based on Drake's old design – and one they promised would remain for a hundred years.
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- Chelsea FC
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