Ezgjan Alioski’s departure from Leeds United has opened up one the most storied shirt numbers in football for the first time in four years.
The number 10 is an iconic shirt across domestic and international football. While Alioski put it to use down the left flank at Elland Road, traditionally it’s reserved for a team’s best player, talisman, creator or goalscorer.
The shirt had a chequered recent history before Alioski took it on, as it changed hands regularly once Luciano Becchio’s distinguished service ended.
Marcus Antonsson, Alex Mowatt, Edgar Cani and Noel Hunt all took it on after Becchio’s exit in 2012/13.
Now, however, back in the Premier League, there is a long list of creative types well suited to taking on such a historic number.
United’s latest pre-season training video appears to suggest Raphinha, 2020/21’s revelation, may be the man to take it on next term.
Rodrigo has already taken to social media with the announcement of his switch from 20 to Pablo Hernandez’s 19, which is now seen on his training kit.
With Raphinha wearing the 10 on his training gear, it would suggest he may well be in line to move on from number 18.
It remains to be seen whether Raphinha or the club will acknowledge the change before the full list of squad numbers is released ahead of the new season.
