Chelsea confirm Champions League squad as Graham Potte forced into leaving big players out

Chelsea have confirmed Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix in their Champions League squad but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out.

UEFA rules state that only three new players can be registered for the knockout stages, forcing big-spending Chelsea to also omit three of their January signings.

Graham Potter has opted to register his two marquee signings, who cost £107million and £88.5m apiece, and loanee Felix, who has significant experience in the competition.

Aubameyang was left out despite the option to instead omit youngster Carney Chukwuemeka or third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

He won’t be available as Chelsea travel to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 15.

In-form defender Benoit Badiashile has also been left out after joining from Monaco for £35m at the start of the January transfer window.

Also not selected are winger Noni Madueke, who was signed from PSV Eindhoven for £29m, striker David Datro Fofana, a £10m arrival from Molde, and midfielder Andrey Santos, who joined for £16m from Vasco da Gama.

Having registered a 24-man squad for the group stage, Chelsea had one spot available on List A but freed up another after selling Jorginho to Arsenal for £12m on deadline day.