UEFA has given Chelsea deadline to declare its Champions League team, which must include Enzo Fernandez -Report

A new deadline for the Champions League is approaching while one for the transfer market has already passed.

The day of the January transfer deadline for Chelsea was frenetic at best as the Blues tried to reorganize their team to achieve the greatest balance possible for the second half of the season. Jorginho’s £12 million transfer to rival Arsenal as his contract’s expiration drew closer signaled his departure.

The squad was also expected to receive a significant addition, and by the window’s end, the Blues had finally secured their target. Enzo Fernandez, a 21-year-old midfielder who possesses a lot of talent and future potential, was that objective.

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However, as one deadline approaches, another one sneaks up on the Blues, forcing them to make difficult choices.

With only a few weeks till their Champions League matchup against Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16, this new deadline is for their Champions League team.

According to UEFA’s current squad registration regulations, “a club may register a maximum of three additional qualified players for the remaining matches in the current competition as of the knockout round play-offs.

According to UEFA’s current squad registration regulations, “a club may register a maximum of three additional qualified players for the remaining matches in the current competition as of the knockout round play-offs.

The deadline for completing this registration is 2 February 2023 (24.00CET). There is no possibility of an extension.

Any or all of the three players listed above may have competed for another club in the group stage, play-offs, or qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, or UEFA Europa Conference League.

The current Chelsea Champions League squad is as follows: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Betinelli, Edouard Mendy; Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana; Jorginho*, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kai Havertz.

B list: Charlie Webster, Lewis Hall, Armando Broja.

According to the regulations, players like Fernandez and Joao Felix who participated in earlier rounds can still register for the club, but only three new players can be added to the roster. As a result, only a small portion of the numerous January arrivals will be able to participate, and others may be left out.

The squad will also need to be smaller since it must always contain 25 players. Jorginho’s withdrawal after his departure simplifies matters a little, bringing the total to 23, although it still leaves one player off of the current above list.

It presents Graham Potter with a major choice between one of his recent additions and a member of his current squad.