Chelsea have unveiled their new 60's-inspired home kit for the 2021/22 season, which will make its debut before the current campaign comes to a close.
The design, which has left fans divided, has been circulating on social media for months now, and the launch video even managed to leak its way on to Twitter before the official announcement came on Thursday morning.
It's that time of the season. ??
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 13, 2021
Introducing our new 2021/22 @NikeFootball home kit. Inspired by the 60s, but as fresh as they come ? ft. @TheZombiesMusic#ItsAChelseaThing #ThePrideOfLondon pic.twitter.com/aPpMtgcdJF
Well, the worst-kept secret is finally out of the bag as Chelsea have unveiled the new shirt, revealing the retro-inspired design in a sufficiently dated promo video on their official website.
It's a bit of a weird one. It's still as blue as ever, but with two different designs across the front. Most of the shirt is a vertical zig-zag, but the left shoulder changes to a chequered pattern which is carried over on to the back.
There is also yellow accents to be found on the shirt, including a bold stripe down both sides which has been used to accentuate the retro vibe.
According to The Athletic, the shirt will be handed its debut this Saturday, when Chelsea travel to Wembley to take on Leicester City in the FA Cup final.
Emma Hayes' Women's side will also wear the shirt in Sunday's Champions League final against Barcelona. Stars such as Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder are given plenty of air-time in the promo video.
As of yet, no decision has been made over whether Thomas Tuchel's team will don the shirt for their Champions League final against Manchester City on May 9.