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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang axed from Chelsea’s Champions League squad to make room for new signings

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad to make room for new signings.

Chelsea signed eight players in January but Champions League rules meant the Blues could only include three new recruits in their squad for the knockout stages.

British transfer record signing Enzo Fernandez has been included, along with forwards Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix.

That left no room for any of Chelsea’s other January signings - David Datro Fofana, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, Gabriel Slonina and Benoit Badiashile.

Although Jorginho left Chelsea for Arsenal on deadline day, freeing up a spot in the squad, another player from Chelsea’s initial list still had to be omitted - resulting in Aubameyang’s absence.

Chelsea play Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 with the first leg taking place in Germany on February 15.

Fernandez, Mudryk and Felix are all available to play despite featuring for other teams in the Champions League already this season.