Football fans are utterly perplexed by Shane Duffy’s new shirt number

The famous number sevens of world football roll off the tongue of any football fan.

George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, Kenny Dalglish, Luis Suarez and err, Shane Duffy.

Number 7 this evening is… #COYBIG

A photo posted by FAIreland Official Account (@fairelandofficial) on Oct 6, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

The Republic of Ireland defender wore number seven in the World Cup qualifier against Georgia at the Aviva Stadium, where he started alongside Ciaran Clark in central defence.

With the greatest of respect to Duffy, or any central defender, the number shouldn’t be worn by a defender. Ever.

In olden times, when teams lined out numbered 1-11, the right midfielder wore number seven. It’s generally worn by an attacking player, and rarely, if ever, by a central defender.

People are rightly flummoxed by Duffy’s squad number.

Shane Duffy is No 7 in that line-up. A centre half wearing No 7 is not right.

— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) October 6, 2016

Number 7 Shane Duffy. Seriously thinking of jumping out of the car and going home. https://t.co/bb34sH0Rv2

— Ross Zambra (@TheKingOfPing) October 6, 2016

Shane Duffy starting for Ireland and wearing number 7 @Denis_Hurley will be having palpitations.

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) October 6, 2016

The OCD in me isn't having Duffy as a number 7 at all. No chance. Unless he scores a free-kick of course. Regardless, #COYBIG!!!

— Nathan Kelly (@NathanKelly_) October 6, 2016

Shane Duffy, a centre back, is wearing the number 7 for Ireland tonight. These things bother me, they shouldn't but they do #COYBIG

— Daniel Gore 🇵🇸 (@KoptimusPrime) October 6, 2016

Duffy wearing number 7 at centre-back? What is the world coming to.

— Simon Harrison (@simonhfootball) October 6, 2016

Shane Duffy is wearing number 7 and playing at centre half tonight?!? Sack O'Neill immediately!! That's just wrong

— Ger McNally (@GerMc31) October 6, 2016

Shane Duffy wearing number 7 for Ireland is a joke, not sure if I'll be able to watch the game!

— Denny Twomey (@DennyTwomey) October 6, 2016

Shane Duffy wearing 7 🤔🤔

— Pádraig Amond (@padraigamond21) October 6, 2016

https://twitter.com/conor__mcgowan/status/784088186368688128

Duffy wearing 7… Just no #IREGEO

— Francis Lally (@FranLally) October 6, 2016