Chelsea Exploit Fresh Champions League Rule to Their Advantage
Chelsea have cleverly taken advantage of UEFA's fresh ruling regarding long-term injuries to add Facundo Buonanotte to their Champions League roster for the current league phase.
Buonanotte, who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion on loan during Deadline Day, was unexpectedly left out of the original 23-man list submitted by Enzo Maresca. However, Dário Essugo subsequently suffered an injury.
The summer signing from Sporting CP had been included in the Champions League roster, but when it became clear he would be out with a thigh problem for a minimum of three months, Chelsea found themselves with an alternative solution.
Prior to the second campaign of this revamped Champions League structure, UEFA sanctioned a modification allowing the temporary substitution of one outfield player "suffering from long-term injury or illness" throughout the league phase of the tournament.
"The rationale behind this adjustment is to guarantee that squad rosters are not unjustly diminished and players are protected from excessive workload demands," UEFA explained.
Buonanotte offers significantly more attacking threat than Essugo, whose unavailability could prove costly if other players sustain injuries. Moisés Caicedo remains a constant presence in the defensive midfield role, yet Maresca's only other defensively-oriented central alternative is Andrey Santos.
Natural right-back Reece James has also been deployed in midfield positions by his Italian coach. Midfielder Roméo Lavia remains available for the competition after being listed on the club's 'List B', though injuries have consistently troubled the Belgian international.
Chelsea's Revised Champions League Squad for 2025–26 League Phase
Goalkeepers: Robert Sánchez, Filip Jørgensen
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Jorell Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana
Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Andrey Santos, Moisés Caicedo, Facundo Buonanotte
Forwards: Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, João Pedro, Marc Guiu, Estêvão, Alejandro Garnacho