Chelsea have submitted and give in to their 2025/26 Champions League squad on September 3, 2025, with momentous and remarkable omissions like Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Nicolas Jackson are there due to transfers and squad confinement. The decisions mirrors to that of Enzo Maresca’s focus on fitness and depth for the league phase. This Chelsea champions league squad analysis traverse the exclusions, reasons, and inference for their campaign.
Key Exclusions and Squad List
Chelsea’s A List includes 25 players: goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen; defenders Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorell Hato, and Reece James; midfielders Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, and Andrey Santos; forwards Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Estevao Willian, as detailed in Chelsea’s official announcement. The B List features Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, and Romeo Lavia. Notably absent are Nkunku, Chukwuemeka, and Jackson, sparking reactions similar to Club World Cup squad controversies. Nkunku’s exclusion follows his move to AC Milan, while Chukwuemeka transferred to Dortmund.
Reasons for Omissions
Squad rules limit the A List to 25 players, with at least eight homegrown, forcing tough choices. Nkunku’s departure to Milan for €40 million, amid Chelsea’s transfer window evaluations, freed a spot but highlighted Maresca’s preference for fit players. Chukwuemeka’s £24 million permanent move to Dortmund, after a loan, reflects squad streamlining. Jackson’s loan to Bayern Munich, despite initial U-turns, stems from competition from Delap and Joao Pedro. Additionally, Aaron Anselmino’s loan to Boca Juniors, as in loan reports, excludes him. Maresca stated, “We prioritize players ready to contribute now,” per club notes. Injuries to Reece James influenced inclusions like Hato.
Tactical Implications
Without Nkunku’s usefulness, versatile nature and adjustability (14 goals last season), Chelsea now have to rely on Palmer (22 goals) and Garnacho for creativity and talent in Maresca’s 4-2-3-1. Chukwuemeka’s non-appearance shifts the focal point to Fernandez and Caicedo in midfield, trialing depth against PSG and Bayern. Jackson’s loan unlatches spots for Guiu and Delap but lacks experience.
The Club World Cup reactions reflect and echo fan concerns over youth incorporation like Acheampong. Fans have noted that they are, grateful for Palmer, but Nkunku’s exit still hurts them. Three changes post-league phase could reestablish the players if needed.
Fan and Media Reactions
Maresca’s outcome and resolution drew varied and disparate responses, with Neville disapproving similar U-turns in transfer evaluations. Fans on social media expressed their gratitude for retentions but are worried and concerned about team depth, with some stating that, the squad looked thin without Nkunku. Anselmino’s loan and mortgage, per reports, is seen as developmental. Opta forecast a top-16 finish, but exclusions and omission could likely strain rotations in eight games.
Challenges in the League Phase
Chelsea’s fixtures against PSG, Bayern, and Tottenham try-out the squad’s strength and persistency without shutting out the stars. Maresca’s prominence and attention on fitness, as in the announcement, aims to avoid last season’s injury woes. The B List’s youth like George provides flexibility and resilience, but confined spots spotlights PSR constraints. Reintegrating loanees like Anselmino in February could bolster knockouts.
Broader Context
These exclusions mirrors to that of contemporary squad management, poising and stabilizing PSR, injuries, and transfers. Chelsea’s window, adding Garnacho and Simons, offsets losses and mislay, but Nkunku’s Milan move waves to a overhaul. For the league phase commencing on September 16, focus shifts to available and at hand players like Palmer to secure top 24 advancement.
Author’s Note
This Chelsea champions league squad can surprise all the Blues fans. Excluding and debarring Nkunku and Chukwuemeka can impair the team depth, but Palmer’s presence, impact and dominance does reassure. We can press for being optimistic towards strategy and adjustments later.
