People are only just realising why Kalidou Koulibaly wears No26 shirt and it’s NOT because of Chelsea legend John Terry

PEOPLE are only just realising the reason behind Kalidou Koulibaly's shirt number at Chelsea.

The Senegalese defender has the squad number 26 at the Blues, continuing the trend from his days at Napoli.

When he joined the West London club he called John Terry for permission to wear the No26 shirt.

Terry is a legend at the club having captained the side to multiple domestic titles as well as a Champions League.

However, Koulibaly does not wear the shirt number as a nod to the former Blue.

Instead the choice behind the number is based on his and his wife's birthdays.

Koulibaly and his wife share the same birthday - June 20... or 20/6.

The centre-back shortened it to 26 during his time in Naples and never looked back.

Before he made the switch to Italy, Koulibaly wore the number five at his previous clubs Metz and Genk.

The 31-year-old joined the Blues last summer in a £34million transfer.

BETTING SPECIAL - BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK

He signed a four-year deal with the club but has struggled to cement his spot in the first team.

So far this season he has only appeared in 14 Premier League fixtures, while Chelsea have failed to challenge at the top of the table.