Creative Soccer Culture

Chelsea Reveal Year Of The Snake Prematch Shirt Designed By Jackie Tsai

East meets West in stunning synchronicity as tradition and modernity collide in Nike’s latest pre-match jersey for Chelsea, crafted to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The players will don the jersey ahead of their next matches, starting tomorrow in the Premier League clash against Manchester City, and followed by the Women’s team in the London derby on Sunday.

With the Year of the Snake kicking off next week, brands and clubs have been celebrating, from Sheffield United and their bespoke kit from Errea, to adidas and their special edition Predator 25. Now there’s another offering from Nike and Chelsea. Debuting a bespoke design that blends cultural symbolism with unmistakable London identity, the Blues’ new prematch shirt arrives in a sleek look worthy of the creature in question, instantly conjuring images of Inter Milan’s 21/22 away shirt.

The creative mastermind behind this striking piece is Jacky Tsai, a China-born, London-based artist renowned for his ability to seamlessly merge eastern artistry with western pop culture. At its core, the jersey features a silver snakeskin mosaic, but it’s the intricate details that steal the show. Chelsea’s essence is subtly interwoven, with the club’s iconic lion and rose emerging from the fabric. Dominating the design is a golden snake, flowing gracefully across the jersey’s front and back in a nod to traditional Chinese calligraphy.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the golden snake’s path is steeped in significance, mirroring the River Thames as it winds through London—a homage to the city’s very foundation. A limited-edition golden label marks Stamford Bridge’s location within the design, anchoring Chelsea’s heritage in this wearable work of art.

Jacky Tsai’s connection to Chelsea’s home city runs deep. After honing his craft at the China Academy of Art, Tsai moved to London to study at Central Saint Martin’s, where his cross-cultural vision took root. His work, showcased globally, challenges perceptions by harmonising eastern traditions with western aesthetics, sparking a fresh dialogue on cultural fusion. That vision is evident in the jersey’s gold detailing, symbolising prosperity and new beginnings as we usher in the Lunar New Year.

The Thames’ significance to Tsai lies in its role as a unifying thread through one of the world’s most vibrant cities, with Chelsea Football Club at its heart. The connection is a perfect metaphor for the design, which bridges continents and cultures.

Adding to its allure, each jersey has been hand-customised in the UK, offering a unique touch in a world dominated by machine-made uniformity. The handmade process ensures no two pieces are identical, celebrating individuality through subtle variations and imperfections—a reflection of the raw artistry behind the garment. It’s a sustainable nod to craftsmanship that resonates in an era of mass production.

The special edition Year of the Snake Chelsea jersey is available now exclusively from the Megastore at Stamford Bridge and from our online store.

Author
Daniel Jones

The Creative Soccer Culture Brief

Sign up to our newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the world of Creative Soccer Culture.