Perhaps if there is any number that is scarce in the world of football on the pitch between the first 23 numbers that form the complete squad, number 16 has to be the one.
However, this doesn’t mean that iconic players haven’t worn the number 16 before. Players like former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, former Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, and Roma legend Di Rossi among others, have worn jersey number 16.
Therefore, let’s try and identify the players who are currently wearing number 16 this season.
1. Rob Holding (Arsenal)
Arsenal defender Rob Holding has been holding down the defence and defensive duty for Arsenal in their aim to win the Premier League this season.
Arsenal are already holding the top spot in the Premier League, while the English defender holds everyone’s attention and the number 16 shirt anytime he features.
He’s made 4 Premier League appearances, and 6 UEFA Europa League matches.
2. Eduoard Mendy (Chelsea)
When Chelsea had a goalkeeping issue in 2019 when Kepa Arrizabalaga broke his relationship with the then coach of the Blues, Maurizio Sarri, it was Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy that Chelsea brought in from Rennes to mend the situation.
Since there was someone with the number one shirt already, the Senegalese international was handed the number 16 jersey, and quite sincerely, he has mended the goalkeeping problems of Chelsea as they won the UEFA Champions League at the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, lately, Kepa Arrizabalaga has raised the competition for the number one spot. Nevertheless, he’s part of the Senegalese team at the FIFA World Cup, and is still undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Furthermore, Edouard Mendy is one of the few footballers who wear number 16 for both their club and country.
3. Álvaro Odriozola (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid signed Alvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad in 2018, but he has yet to make himself one of Real Madrid’s key players.
The Spaniard went on loan to Bayern Munich and, most recently, Fiorentina last season. The right-back is yet to appear for Real Madrid this season and has made 50 appearances.
4. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
French goalkeeper Mike Maignan was already assured of a place in France’s FIFA World Cup squad to Qatar, well that was until injury struck anyways.
The goalkeeper had his youth career with PSG but had the most successful period with Lille, helping them to the league before AC Milan snapped him up.
He wears the number 16 jersey at AC Milan and has won Serie A, and is regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the Serie A.
5. Jay Gorter (Ajax)
Jay Gorter is one of the most obscure players on this list, but he plays for one of the most prominent teams in European football.
The 22-year-old is a Dutch goalkeeper that plays for Ajax making his debut for the Senior team in 2021.
6. Dimitrije Kamenovic (Lazio)
Serbian fullback Dimitrije Kamenovic joined Lazio from the Serbian football club side Cukaricki in 2021.
The 22-year-old has a running five-year contract with Lazio, and despite being registered for the Italian top flight and the UEFA Europa League, he has only made a single appearance for the club side since joining them.
7. Germán Pezzella (Real Betis)
Germán Pezzella is an Argentine defender who wears the number 16 jersey for Spanish football club Real Betis.
He previously wore the number 20 short at Real Betis and Florentina, but in his second stint at Betis he is handed the number 16 jersey.
8. Jesús Navas (Sevilla)
A lot of people remember Jesus Navas from his days at Manchester City, although those days are now past, and he made a second return to Spanish Club Sevilla in 2017.
The 37-year-old is still flying the number 16 shirt of the Sevilla side and has not played over 160 Appearances since returning 5 years ago.
During his first stint in Seville, between 2003 and 2013, he made 285 appearances.
9. Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
Molina joined Atletico Madrid from Udinese in 2022 and has been ever-present, making 11 La Liga appearances and six UEFA Champions League games.
He’s one of the players who helped Argentina to the Copa America victory last summer and has been playing at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Molina is 24 years old and can play as a right-back. He previously played for Boca Juniors in Argentina.
10. Calum Chambers (Aston Villa)
Calum Chambers is an English defender and right-back who spent eight years at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal but could only manage around 70 appearances for the Gunners.
In January, he joined Aston Villa on a permanent basis after spending several loan deals away from Arsenal in past seasons, including loan deals at Middlesbrough and Fulham.
