Huge star dropped, defender left out as Chelsea add three January players to Champions League squad and

There is no place, however, for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 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.

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

Goalkeepers
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli. Edouard Mendy

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

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

Forwards
Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz

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.’

While arguably the three most exciting signings of the eight Chelsea made during a hectic January do make the cut, there is no place for Benoit Badiashile despite the impressive start he has made to his Chelsea career.