Mauricio Pochettino has officially submitted his 25-man Chelsea squad for the upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage, navigating a significant injury crisis to include several key players.
The most notable inclusions are captain Reece James and French defender Benoît Badiashile, both of whom are currently sidelined with hamstring injuries. Their registration signals the club's confidence in their return during the latter stages of the group phase.
The Blues have been placed in a relatively favourable Group D, where they will face Serbian champions FK Čukarički, Belgian side KRC Genk, and Austrian outfit FK Austria Wien. The inclusion of their injured stars is a strategic move to ensure their availability for the knockout rounds, should Chelsea progress.
Who Missed Out?
As expected, long-term absentees Wesley Fofana and new signing Christopher Nkunku were omitted from the list. Both players are facing extended spells on the treatment table and are not expected to feature until the new year.
The rules of the competition allow for squad adjustments ahead of the knockout stages in February 2024, offering a potential lifeline for the duo if they can recover in time.
Chelsea's Full 25-Man Champions League Squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Sánchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Đorđe Petrović.
Defenders: Reece James, Benoît Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto.
Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, Roméo Lavia.
Forwards: Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Nicolás Jackson, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Ian Maatsen, Cole Palmer.
All eyes will now be on Stamford Bridge to see if Pochettino's tactical selections can guide the Blues successfully through their European campaign amidst a challenging start to their domestic season.
