Chelsea manager Graham Potter has omitted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the club’s Champions League squad to accommodate the inclusion of new signings Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Joao Felix. Due to Champions League regulations, only three new players can be added to the squad mid-season, despite Chelsea’s acquisition of seven players in the transfer window and a loan deal for Malo Gusto.
Therefore, four players were inevitably left out, including Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, Datro Fofana, and Benoit Badiashile. To include all three of their new signings, Chelsea had to make room for one additional player, which resulted in Aubameyang’s removal from the club’s Champions League squad. His name no longer appears on Chelsea’s official Champions League roster.
Aubameyang has played in 17 matches for Chelsea this season, but his role has significantly diminished under Potter’s management. Despite being the team’s only traditional centre forward, he has not been included in the starting lineup for the past six games. In the recent game against Manchester City, he was brought on as an early substitute but was eventually substituted himself later in the match.
Potter has opted for Kai Havertz as his preferred striker, while Joao Felix is expected to play in a central role due to Chelsea’s shortage of options at that position. The club will resume their Champions League journey on February 15 with an away match against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The return leg will be held at Stamford Bridge on March 7.
BREAKING: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Benoit Badiashile have been left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad 🔵❌ pic.twitter.com/msUlhunYuW
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 3, 2023
