Chelsea trio Malang Sarr, Ross Barkley, Lewis Baker handed squad numbers and included in Champions League squad
According to Football.london, the Chelsea trio of Ross Barkley, Malang Sarr and Lewis Baker have been handed squad numbers and have been included in the Champions League squad list. There was speculation over their future but with the transfer window now closed, they will be a part of the squad and are on the 25-man list for the competition.
It has been a season of outgoings for Chelsea. The squad was way too bloated to be managed well and it was clear that a lot of players had to be offloaded, on loan or permanently. Hence, Chelsea embarked on a selling spree that earned them £140m. A lot of fringe players such as Davide Zappacosta and Danny Drinkwater finally left the club but there was an alarming exodus of academy stars.
Despite so many exits, Chelsea still failed to get a few more names off their books. Ross Barkley returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa but was made available for sale. That did not transpire but with Mateo Kovacic handed his squad number, he will now take the no. 18. It was revealed when the Blues submitted their 25-man squad for the continental competition.
Malang Sarr was another name that could have exit the club and he came ever so close. He even had a medical with Greuther Furth in Germany. However, the deal collapsed and he has been handed the no. 31. Forgotten man Lewis Baker was a surprise inclusion but he could yet leave the club.
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Chelsea begin their defence of the Champions League crown on 14th September against Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersburg. They will also take on the likes of Juventus and Malmo in the group stages. The holders of the trophy, the Blues will be aiming to make it out of the group and progress deep into the competition.