Chelsea name Premier League squad, use only 20 out of 25 slots - reason explained

The Premier League released the squads registered by the clubs for the 2023/24 season after the summer transfer window.

Here's what Chelsea's squad looks like.

Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, James Cumming, Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic

Defenders: Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Reece James

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher

Forwards: Armando Broja, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling

If you count the players above, you can see only 20 players registered in a squad that could be as big as 25.

That's because players under 21 - i.e., born on or after 1 January 2002 - don't need to be registered. They are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad.

As a result, first-team players like Carney Chukwuemeka, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Ian Maatsen, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Lesley Ugockukwu don't need to occupy squad slots.