BREAKING: Chelsea’s champions league squad has been replaced by new signings
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As Fernandez, Mudryk, and Joao Felix are brought in, Chelsea’s star, along with Badiashile, is delisted, leaving Aubameyang off the Champions League roster.
Champions League: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League knockout rounds, but three January signings have made the cut.
The Gabonese striker was ruled out of contention for the squad that will face Borussia Dortmund in the first round of the competition.
Newcomers Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, and Noni Madueke were all left off the roster, while January signings Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Joao Felix all started.
Chelsea will have “a few awkward conversations” with new acquisitions due to Champions League squad constraints, according to Potter.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has admitted that the club is in a difficult situation in terms of new players and Champions League squad restrictions.
WHAT HAPPENED
During the January transfer window, Chelsea went on an eight-player spending spree. The Blues will only be able to include three of their new additions in their Champions League lineup due to UEFA regulations. In response, Potter acknowledged that informing some players that they would not be competing in the second half of Europe’s most prestigious competition would be difficult.
Enzo Fernandez’s possible Chelsea squad number after his move from Benfica
WHAT THEY SAID
“We know who we need to talk to,” Potter said. Because only 11 people can participate in games and only a certain number of people can be in squads, there will almost certainly be some awkward conversations.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It is unclear which players Potter will include in his European squad, but given Chelsea’s significant financial commitment to both players, it is expected that both Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk will be selected. Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund in the competition’s knockout stages.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
When the Blues return to Premier League action on Friday, they will face their local rivals Fulham. According to Potter, Fernandez could make his Blues debut against the Cottagers on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
