The Chelsea squad which is travelling to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg has been revealed. The Bundesliga giants are set to welcome the Blues to the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday evening as both sides seek European glory.
There have been several surprise inclusions, with Denis Zakaria and Wesley Fofana returning to the squad despite their own injury issues in recent weeks. January signings Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix will be looking to make their first appearances in the competition for the west Londoners.
Raheem Sterling, who missed a training session this morning due to the knock he picked up ahead of the clash at West Ham, has been left out due to injury. Edouard Mendy, N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic have also not been included.
READ MORE: Chelsea face triple suspension risk for Borussia Dortmund clash amid Kalidou Koulibaly decision
The decision to include Mudryk, Fernandez and Felix in the squad registered for the knockout stages meant there was no space for Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke. Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeang was also omitted to make space for the aforementioned trio.
The 33-year-old faces an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after he was left out of the squad to face Fulham. Instead, David Datro Fofana was preferred.
After the west London derby, Potter was quizzed on his decision to exclude Aubameyang from the Champions League squad. The Blues boss said: "I don't think it's going to be difficult because Pierre is a professional and of course, I understand he will be disappointed.
"It was a tough decision, a tough call. We had three in and two had to go out. He was the one that missed out, he's done nothing wrong at all.
"We wanted to give David some game time today to see where he's at and give him that opportunity. I think you saw that one flash that's he got. Pierre is just unfortunate and he will be fighting for his place for the rest of the season.
"Whichever decision we made there was always going to be a conversation about it but it was my decision. It was a tough decision absolutely, sometimes you have to make these calls but it's absolutely nothing bad against him. He's done nothing wrong at all."
During the tie with Fulham, footage emerged of Aubameyang in Milan. And, naturally, it sparked claims that he left the country because he was left out. But, Potter was quick to brush off speculation that the striker is leaving: "He trained today, he trained very well and he's got the weekend off so we can report on Monday. It's a free world."
READ NEXT:
Chelsea make late emergency Champions League squad change due to injury amid Joao Felix call
Zakaria hope, Sterling worry - Three things spotted in Chelsea training ahead of Dortmund clash
How much did Chelsea spend in January? Fernandez, Mudryk and Madueke transfer fees confirmed
Graham Potter faces two major defensive selection decisions for Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
