Chelsea can’t can’t register all new signings for Champions League without axing a player

Chelsea have got a difficult decision to make as they currently won’t be able to register all of their new signings for the Champions League, without removing a member of their current squad.

The Blues announced their fifth signing of the January window over the weekend, with Mykhailo Mudryk joining in a stunning £88million move, on a massive eight-and-a-half year deal.  

However, Chelsea’s busy January window has left Graham Potter’s side with more non-homegrown players than is permitted in their Champions League squad.

Chelsea face a Champions League headache following the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk

Rules for the competition state that the club can register no more than 17 non-homegrown players.

Chelsea are aloud to register a maximum of three new players ahead of the Round of 16 by February 2 – which would likely be Mudryk, Joao Felix and Benoit Badiashile.

Registering all three though would leave the Blues with a total of 18 non-homegrown players.  

Graham Potter won’t be able to register three new signings without axing a current squad member

It means squad players who get less minutes such as Hakim Ziyech could be at risk

It has left Potter with a massive headache as he would either have to leave out one of his new signings, or remove a big-name player who was registered for the group stage.

Of those already registered, there are a number who are certain to not lose their place including keepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz.

However there are others such as Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic who could arguably be at risk. While the likes of Pulisic, Denis Zakaria and N’Golo Kante are currently out injured, they are  expected to return in the next two months.

Joao Felix who is on loan from Atletico Madrid will be able to be registered for Europe

Benoit Badiashile could miss out if Graham Potter doesn’t remove a current squad member

The issue won’t arise though in the Premier League as Badiashile and David Datro Fofana who has also joined the club qualify as under-21 selections and therefore don’t take up a squad spot. 

Remarkably, Chelsea’s spending spree might not even end with Mudryk.

They have also shown interest in Brighton pair Moises Caicedo and Leandro Trossard as they weigh up their next moves. 

A move for either or both of the Brighton players could add to Potter’s Champions League selection headache.

Chelsea have spent a lot of money since Todd Boehly took ownership of the club last year

Mudryk was paraded on the pitch at half time of Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace and watched the game from a box in the stands. 

‘I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea,’ 22-year-old Mudryk told the club website after completing his move.

‘This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.