Chelsea Faces Champions League Squad Dilemma After January Spending Spree

Due to UEFA regulations, Chelsea will have a difficult time making a selection for the Champions League knockout rounds after their January shopping binge.

Chelsea has an entirely different appearance going into the second half of the season after sweeping the January transfer window by storm and basically replenishing their whole roster.

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However, they face a challenge when adding new players to their European roster because the Champions League is returning this month.

With Chelsea trying to incorporate players like Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, and others, UEFA has clarified the rules governing new players and altering squads prior to the knockout stages.

According to article 46.01 of UEFA’s rules for the Champions League, which can be found on their official website: “A club may sign up a maximum of three additional eligible players as of the round of 16 for the competition’s remaining games. Such registration must be finalized no later than 2 February 2023. There is no possibility of an extension.”

Graham Potter has an issue right away because he can only register a maximum of three players.

On the final day of the January transfer window, Chelsea added Fernandez for a British record sum, making him their eighth new acquisition.

Three of the 25 players that teams must submit for the Champions League can be replaced after the transfer window closes.

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The criteria do not apply to a B list, which was created to allow younger players to play, because Chelsea has recruited younger players despite the requirement that they have played for the club continuously for two years.

As a result, Chelsea may only use three of the eight new additions in their Champions League knockout round campaign.

Felix has European experience from his time at Atletico Madrid, and Mudryk made an impression with Shakhtar Donetsk there as well.

The Blues must still account for Fernandez, who cost £106.8 million ($131m), and Benoit Badiashile, a defender who has already had an impact.