Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is KICKED OUT of Chelsea’s Champions League squad

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been kicked out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad for the knockout stages to make room for £107m signing Enzo Fernandez.

The striker has not started a single game for Chelsea since November and the influx of new signings will only increase competition in forward positions.

Reports in Spain claim that the 33-year-old was desperate to leave Stamford Bridge – and he wanted to return to Barcelona – but he did not exit during the January window. 

Since making his move to Stamford Bridge in August, the striker has failed to establish himself in the Chelsea side, with Kai Havertz often deployed as a No 9 instead. 

Aubameyang has however started all six games for Chelsea in the Champions League this year, scoring against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro.

Chelsea have also been forced to leave £35million January signing Benoit Badiashile out of their Champions League squad, while wantaway winger Hakim Ziyech keeps his place.

The Blues come up against Borussia Dortmund across two legs in the last-16 later this month, but Graham Potter has faced a selection headache after Chelsea recruited a further eight players in January.

The British-record £107m signing of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez took Todd Boehly’s spending to a staggering £323.5m in January.

Chelsea have been forced to leave £35million January signing Benoit Badiashile out of their Champions League squad 

UEFA rules allow only three new players to be registered for the knockout rounds – their January signings include Mykhailo Mudryk (left) and Joao Felix

But UEFA rules stipulate only three new players can be registered for the knockout stages, which has left Potter unable to select all his latest signings.

Potter ultimately had to choose between Badiashile, Fernandez, Mikhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix, with the Frenchman missing out to accommodate for the attacking stars.

Article 46.01 of the Champions League regulations states: ‘As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition.

‘Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2023 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.’

Clubs had until the end of Thursday to confirm their squads to UEFA, who released them on Friday.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Fulham on Friday night, Graham Potter admitted that some players would be left disappointed.

‘There’s going to be a few awkward conversations. That’s the reality of where we are,’ he said.

‘Only 11 can play and only a certain amount can be in squads so there’s always going to be a certain amount who will be disappointed.’

There was some wriggle room because Chelsea only named 24 players of a permitted 25 on their List A for the group stage, leaving open an extra space. 

Chelsea won’t face similar problems registering the players for the Premier League, whose rules are less rigid than UEFA’s. 

It’s a blow for Badiashile who penned a seven-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge after leaving Monaco last month.

The Blues had been looking for a left-sided centre-back since the summer and were unable to agree a deal with RB Leipzig for Croatian World Cup star Josko Gvardiol.

After representing France at every youth level, Badiashile’s domestic performances for Phillipe Clement’s side saw him called up to the senior squad last year, making his debut in a 2-0 Nations League win over Austria in September. 

Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana will also miss out on Champions League football this season, while Malo Gusto has rejoined Lyon on loan until the end of the season. 

It’s a huge blow for Badiashile who penned a seven-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge