Kurt Zouma has been left without a Chelsea squad number after new signing Jorginho was given the No 5 shirt.

The move to hand Jorginho the jersey has raised doubt over Zouma’s role in new manager Maurizio Sarri’s plans.

The France defender is back with the Blues following a season-long loan spell with Stoke last term.

Kurt Zouma's future looks to be in doubt after not being given a squad number for the season

Zouma's No 5 has instead been handed to summer signing Jorginho (left)

The 23-year-old centre back wants to be playing regularly but it is unclear whether Zouma has a future at the club under their new Italian boss.

If Chelsea are willing to let Zouma leave then they are facing a race against time to find him a new club with the transfer window closing ahead of the first round of Premier League fixtures a week on Friday.

Equally, the likelihood of Zouma playing a role under Sarri appears small after his squad number was given to new signing Jorginho.

Similarly he is still listed as an ‘on loan’ player on Chelsea’s official website despite returning.

Maurizio Sarri has not made plans to include Zouma who is still listed as a loan player

Zouma spent last season on loan at Stoke City but could not prevent their relegation

Zouma still has five years left on his existing Chelsea deal after signing a new contract before leaving for Stoke last summer.

Zouma, who has two senior caps for world champions France, was a regular for the Potters last season as he successfully recovered from a ACL injury sustained during the 2016-17 campaign.

The defender had established himself as a key player for Chelsea before the injury, helping the club two Premier League titles and winning the Blues’ young player of the year award in 2015.

But his future is shrouded in doubt ahead of the new season.

Zouma had become a key player at Chelsea and was named their young player of the year