Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been axed from Chelsea’s UEFA squad list for the second half of their 2022/23 Champions League campaign.
There were bound to be omissions from the list after the Blues signed eight new players in the January transfer window.
Chelsea spent more than £500 million during the last two transfer windows, meaning some players would miss out on the Champions League.
Aubameyang’s omission is no surprise. The former Arsenal striker has netted only three goals and one assist in 17 appearances for the Blues.
He did not impress under former manager Thomas Tuchel and has not improved since Graham Potter’s arrival.
However, he will be unhappy at being omitted and will likely leave the club next summer.
There were rumours about a return to Barcelona, which could materialise with the Catalans needing back-up for Robert Lewandowski.
Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Gabriel Slonina are also not in the Champions League squad.
Badiashile’s omission is surprising as he has quickly asserted himself as a reliable partner to Thiago Silva in defence.
He started their last two Premier League games and contributed to clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
However, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez have been included on the squad list.
Fernandez may make his debut for the club against Fulham this evening, while Mudryk should also be in action after an exciting cameo against Liverpool.
Felix is serving the third of his three-game suspension from the reverse fixture. Badiashile will likely continue at the back.
