With the Year of the Snake commencing next week, and as is fast becoming a Chelsea tradition at this time, our players will wear the new tops on the pitch ahead of their next matches. But supporters have the chance to beat them to it!

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

In keeping with the new year theme, we have just 2,025 items available and it is anticipated they will go very fast!

Jacky Tsai, born in China and living in London, is the renowned artist behind the striking design which has as its base a silver snakeskin mosaic print. Look closely and you will see Chelsea in there too – with our lion and our rose woven into the fabric.

London calling – and we live by the river!

Clearly catching the eye the most is the golden snake which wraps from the front to the back of the shirt in the style of traditional Chinese calligraphy. The route the snake takes is significant too – mapping out the path of the River Thames through our city – the very reason why London is here in the first place.

A limited-edition golden label marks out where Stamford Bridge is located in the design. Jacky Tsai has long been inspired by the culture of the city that is Chelsea Football Club’s home.

He studied at the China Academy of Art before moving to London to study at Central Saint Martin’s and since then his work has been exhibited worldwide. Tsai’s artworks integrate eastern ideology and cultural symbols with western pop art icons and motifs. Through unifying the differences and similarities between cultures, his works provoke viewers to rethink intercultural relationship.

Included in his blend of eastern and western influences is the gold detailing on the jersey which is a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture at the start of a new year. The artist looks upon the Thames as a river connecting a beautiful city with Chelsea at its heart.

Wrapping up for warm-up

The first game when Chelsea players will celebrate the Year of the Snake with their new Nike pre-match attire is tomorrow – the Premier League meeting with Manchester City away – followed quickly by the Women’s Super League London derby at Stamford Bridge when we take on Arsenal on Sunday.

Look out in the stadiums or on your screen for the mosaic design in motion.

Shop the snake

The Year of the Snake pre-match tops are available in adult and kid sizes.

They have been hand-customised in the UK, and in a world filled with machine-made products there is something truly unique and sustainable about an item customised by human hands.

The imperfections that arise from the patent-approved process that made this clothing reflect the individuality and uniqueness of the raw garment and maker. Handmade design allows for subtle variations and irregularities that make every piece one of a kind.

Happy Year of the Snake and happy shopping! Visit the Chelsea online store now and check out the gallery below...