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    Chelsea add three January recruits to Champions League squad and axe summer signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

    Chelsea have added three January signings to their Champions League squad in the shape of Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix and Myhailo Mudryk.

    COBHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Graham Potter of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on February 2, 2023 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Graham Potter has added three January signings to Chelsea’s Champions League squad (Picture: Getty)

    There is no place for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, who has been ruthlessly cut from the 25-man list by Graham Potter.

    The Blues are back in European action later this month against Borussia Dortmund, but Aubameyang will not feature against one of his former clubs.

    Chelsea were permitted to make three changes to the squad which finished top of of their group, thanks in part to Aubameyang’s goals in their two victories over AC Milan.

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    This latest snub represents another blow to the 33-year-old’s hope of making an impression under Potter, for whom he is yet to score a Premier League goal.

    The former Arsenal captain returned to English football on the final day of the summer window but his reunion with Thomas Tuchel lasted less than a week when the popular German was ousted by Todd Boehly.

    After a bright start, Aubameyang’s form deteriorated rapidly and he was visibly frustrated after he suffered the ignominy of being hauled off having been brought on during the early stages of last month’s defeat against Manchester City following an injury to Raheem Sterling.

    Chelsea’s Champions League Squad

    GoalkeepersKepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli. Edouard Mendy

    DefendersThiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly,Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana

    MidfieldersEnzo Fernandez, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka

    ForwardsJoao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz

    There is no place for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Chelsea's Champions League squad There is no place for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Chelsea’s Champions League squad (Picture: Getty)

    Aubameyang missed the subsequent FA Cup tie against the same opposition with a back injury and was an unused substitute in the defeat at Fulham with his side needing a goal to force a draw.

    ‘We’ve got a bit of time before we have to make the decision, but we’re aware of who we need to speak to,’ Potter revealed, when asked at Thursday’s press-conference whether he had decided which players would make the cut.

    ‘There’s going to be a few awkward questions and conversations and that’s the reality of where we are because only 11 can play, only a certain amount can be in squads so there’s always going to be players that are disappointed.

    ‘It’s about being as honest and open and respectful and transparent as you can, and creating an environment where you respect the fact that people want to play, that players want to compete and help the team, but they have to wait and be patient and be ready to play, perform and help us win.’

    SOURCE: metro.co.uk

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