Chelsea new signing Kalidou Koulibaly asks John Terry for permission to wear number 26

The 31-year-old central defender carries a shirt number that was vacant since Englishman John Terry left the club in 2017.

Five years later, another 26 would be at the center of Chelsea’s defense and the Senegalese new signer posted a video of himself asking Terry for permission to become his successor.

A video posted on Kalidou Koulibaly’s Twitter page shows the man himself talking on the phone with John Terry, seeking the Englishman’s blessing for wearing the number 26.

“John I wanted to ask you something because as you know I played with a 26 at Napoli and since you left the club no one takes a 26, I don’t know if you retired it or if any Don’t want to take it, so I wanted to ask you if it’s possible to take it,” asked Koulibaly while talking into his phone.

Paying tribute to the retired Terry was a nice gesture as the number in question had not been officially retired by the club and Koulibaly could take it without calling his predecessor.

John Terry praised Koulibaly’s respectful gesture, “Honestly 26 was very special to me, yes dude I really appreciate you calling me and it’s not a problem for me to take it for you, absolute bliss.”

John Terry said over the phone, “I wish you all the best because I know how important the number was to me and I can clearly see you wear 26 too, it’s my pleasure, I give you 26.”

Terry’s permission came with a clause, “No pressure dude, you’re gonna win trophies for us, okay?” He told Koulibaly who was grateful to his predecessor.