9.5/10
Shirt condition
Excellent condition
No wear found on inspection. The royal blue is deep and even, with no sheen at the shoulders and no fading. The FÀBREGAS No.4 printing is perfectly bonded with no sign of cracking, as is the Yokohama sponsor. Flawless embroidered crest, intact UEFA patches, clean collar and seams, all inner labels present and legible.
| Size | S (see flat measurements above) |
| Manufacturer | Nike (Dri-FIT technology) |
| Season | 2017-2018 — played as reigning champions |
| Version | Royal blue home, crew neck, textured shoulders |
| Sponsors | Yokohama Tyres (front) + Plan International (back) |
| Printing | FÀBREGAS No.4 — official font, Catalan accent respected |
| Patches | Champions League starball + RESPECT band |
| Auth. code | 905513-496 (independently verifiable) |
Unsure about the size? This 2017 Nike S is fitted (47 x 71 cm): compare the flat measurements above, or check my vintage football shirt size guide.
100% AUTHENTIC
✦ Authenticity guaranteed for life
Every piece is checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If a shirt bought from me is ever identified as a unofficial, I refund it in full. No expiry date on that guarantee.
- Fully legible Nike label (photo 4): reference 905513-496, season code HO17 and a complete barcode. HO17 means "Holiday 2017" in Nike's nomenclature: the dating is locked to the 2017-2018 season
- The accent on the "À" in FÀBREGAS: Chelsea's official printing respected the Catalan spelling of his name. Reproductions almost always print "FABREGAS" without the accent — it is the first detail I check on this shirt
- Champions League starball on one sleeve and RESPECT on the other: the European-night configuration, distinct from the Premier League version where the sleeves carry different patches
- High-density embroidered crest (photo 3): the rampant lion holding the staff must stay sharp right down to the details of its mane. That is where unofficial pieces fall apart
- Real photos of the exact shirt for sale, never stock images — full method in my authentication guide
🛠️ Workshop note — Zoom in on the 4 in photo 5: the white is not solid, it is structured by a micro-dot screen that lets the shirt's blue show through, and the Chelsea crest is printed in colour at the base of the digit. That is the signature of the official Champions League printing of the period.
📖 The No.4 of an exceptional playmaker
Cesc Fàbregas at Chelsea is the story of a player who won trophies with three major clubs without ever changing his style: a passer above all, and among the best the Premier League has known.
📅 2017-2018 season — Chelsea as reigning champions. English champions in 2017, the club were back in the Champions League. The UEFA patches on this shirt belong to that European campaign.
🏆 19 May 2018 — the FA Cup. Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley. Fàbregas's last major trophy in England.
🎯 The ultimate passer. World champion in 2010 and twice European champion with Spain, Fàbregas ranks among the very best assist providers in Premier League history — a status built at Arsenal and extended at Chelsea.
👕 A benchmark royal blue — this 2017-2018 home is one of the last Chelsea shirts by Nike before the change in cut generation: clean blue, crew neck, Yokohama sponsor in white. Understated and instantly recognisable.
❓ Frequently asked questions about this shirt
Why "FÀBREGAS" with an accent?
Because that is the Catalan spelling of his name, and Chelsea's official printing respected it. It is an excellent authenticity marker: reproductions almost always print "FABREGAS" without the accent.
How do you know it is 2017-2018?
The Nike label carries the reference 905513-496 and the season code HO17, which designates the Holiday 2017 collection — so the 2017-2018 season. It is directly readable in photo 4, and it is the most reliable dating method on a Nike shirt.
What are the patches on the sleeves?
The Champions League starball on one side, the RESPECT band on the other: that is the European-match configuration. In the Premier League the sleeves carry different patches — so this example is indeed the Champions League version.
Is this shirt authentic?
Yes. Complete and consistent Nike label, high-density embroidered crest, official UEFA patches and dot-screen printing with the built-in crest and the Catalan accent respected. Lifetime authenticity guarantee.
How does this S fit?
Measured flat: 47 cm pit to pit and 71 cm long. A 2017 Nike S, cut close to the body. If you wear a S and like a relaxed fit, size up.
How much is shipping and how fast?
Dispatched within 48 working hours with tracked Colissimo (€5.99 within mainland France, free from €99.99). International rates and delivery times are detailed on my shipping FAQ. 14-day returns if unworn.