There was a new twist to our preparations ahead of this evening's Premier League clash with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues completed their warm-up in our limited edition Year of the Horse pre-match top.
Liam Rosenior's side are searching for a fifth consecutive Premier League victory, but will have to overcome an old rival in the form of Leeds.
The Whites, after struggling in the early months of the campaign, have seen an upturn in form since early December. They have lost two of their previous ten Premier League matches and were victorious last time out against Nottingham Forest.
On a wet evening at the Bridge, the Blues completed our warm-up in our Lunar New Year-inspired range. Each year in the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 animals from the Chinese zodiac, with the horse representing strength, momentum, independence and endurance.
- Click here to buy the Year of the Horse pre-match top
The pre-match jersey – available now to supporters as a limited edition – has its roots in the first-ever Chelsea shirts, the colours of which were inspired by the horse racing colours of Earl Cadogan, the club’s first president back in 1905.
The Eton blue hue, worn by the likes of JT Robertson, Jimmy Windridge and, for a handful of games, George ‘Gatling Gun’ Hilsdon, was lighter and greener than the familiar royal blue Chelsea’s tops soon became.
That colour works in harmony with the white and black from the shorts and socks of that original kit to create our limited-edition horse design. Included on the back is how fans address Chelsea in Mandarin, 車, in the form of a traditional seal.
- Click here to buy the Year of the Horse pre-match top