Manchester City’s New Number 7 Hinted In New Training Photos

Recent pictures have suggested that Manchester City have a new number seven.

Raheem Sterling, who formally wore the number seven shirt at the Etihad Stadium, completed a £47.5 million transfer to Chelsea on Wednesday, ending a seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

The 27 year-old made 339 appearances and won 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles at the club.

#OnThisDay: #ManCity signed Raheem @sterling7 [2015]

🔵 339 Apps
⚽️ 131 Goals
🅰️ 94 Assists
🏆 League Cup [x5]
🏆 Premier League [x4]
🏆 Charity Shield [x1]
🏆 FA Cup [x1]
🏅 #PL POTM [x3]
🏅 PFA TOTY [x1]
🏅 FWA FOTY [x1]
🏅 PFA YPOTY [x1]pic.twitter.com/rQxWWMMbnY

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 13, 2022

Sterling moves to Stamford Bridge having played an integral role in the Sky Blues' success under Pep Guardiola, however new pictures suggest that Englishman's squad number has been quickly inherited by another member of the City first-team squad.

Joao Cancelo, who has made 128 appearances since his move from Italy in 2019, has been pictured in pre-season training wearing clothing which included the number seven.

The full-back had previously worn the number 27 shirt for Manchester City, but looks set to become the Blues' new number seven, based off of Thursday training pictures.

Joao Cancelo with the #⃣7⃣ in training today. 👀🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/KG09TIkYeo

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 14, 2022

The 28 year-old was directly involved in 13 goals for the Premier League Champions during the last campaign, and has held the squad number seven at two of his previous clubs.

Cancelo wore the number seven shirt during his time in La Liga and Serie A - wearing seven for Valencia and Inter Milan.

The Portugal international becomes the latest City player to wear number seven, after Raheem Sterling, James Milner and Stephen Ireland.

Fan favourite Georgi Kinkladze also used to wear the number seven.

Squad numbers have been a hot topic surrounding City supporters this summer.

Marquee summer signing Erling Haaland has inherited the number nine, while Kalvin Phillips is the Blues' new number four - the first holder of the number since Vincent Kompany left the club.

Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez selected the number 19 and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega become number 18.

The Sky Blues begin their Premier League title defence away to West Ham United at the London Stadium next month.

Before facing the Hammers, City face Club America and Bayern Munich in pre-season friendlies, and Liverpool in the FA Community Shield.

Guardiola's squad are scheduled to travel to the United States on Saturday 11th July, with participation in upcoming friendlies likely to confirm Joao Cancelo's switch from 27 to seven.