Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stunned fans by leaving out Raheem Sterling and deadline-day signing Facundo Buonanotte from the Blues’ Champions League squad.
Sterling, Chelsea’s top earner, was expected to feature but did not make the cut. Buonanotte, who only arrived on deadline day, also misses out. Instead, Maresca has placed his faith in summer recruits Willian Estevão and Alejandro Garnacho following a record-breaking transfer window where the club spent nearly £300 million.
UEFA rules allow each team to name 25 players in their “List A,” with a minimum of four club-trained players. Chelsea included Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, and Levi Colwill, but still fell short of the quota.
The Blues face a brutal start in the new league phase format, opening away at Bayern Munich, before clashes with Barcelona and Napoli. Maresca will have the opportunity to revise the squad in January when winter transfers can be registered.
Meanwhile, Liverpool also confirmed their squad, omitting high-profile signing Federico Chiesa due to UEFA’s restrictions on non-homegrown players. However, the Premier League champions’ list includes Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
The Reds begin their campaign on September 17 at Anfield against Atletico Madrid, with further tests against Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Marseille, and Galatasaray.
Both clubs will be allowed to amend squads for the knockout rounds, registering three fresh players under UEFA’s rules.
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