Despite Frank Lampard’s best efforts, Chelsea will head into the Champions League knockout rounds without any major additions to their squad.
The Blues had their two-window transfer ban reduced to just the one, meaning they were once again allowed to sign players in the January window but were frustrated in their efforts to bring in another forward to help Tammy Abraham in front of goal.
Champions League 2019/20: Five things to know about Chelsea…
- Domestic league position: 4h, Premier League
- Champions League finish in 2018/19: Didn’t qualify, won Europa League
- 2019/20 Group finish: 2nd (11 points), Group H
- Top scorer: Tammy Abraham, Cesar Azpilicueta & Jorginho (2)
- Most assists: Seven players on one
That said, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is nearing a return to fitness and is sure to add some much-needed thrust to Chelsea’s midfield upon his return.
The Blues will need all the help they can get when they take on German champions Bayern Munich in the last 16. Despite being inconsistent this season, the Bavarians recently returned to the top of the Bundesliga table and their 7-2 win over Tottenham back in October is a stark reminder of just what they’re capable of.
Speaking of inconsistency, no word describes Chelsea’s season more so than that. The Blues only remain in the Premier League’s top four thanks to the poor form of those below them, while they managed just one home win during their Group H campaign, a 4-4 draw with Ajax in November tells you all you need to know about their route to the knockout rounds.
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Chelsea’s 2019/20 Champions League squad:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Jamie Cumming*, Nicolas Tie*
Defenders: Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Reece James*, Cesar Azpilicueta, Fikayo Tomori, Emerson
Midfielders: Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley, Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount*, Callum Hudson-Odoi*, Christian Pulisic, Billy Gilmour*
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Pedro Rodriguez, Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi
*Denotes those on Player List B – teams can register an unlimited number of players on their ‘List B’, providing they have been “eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday.”
Chelsea’s 2019/20 Champions League results so far:
- 17/09/19: Chelsea 0-1 Valencia
- 02/10/19: Lille 1-2 Chelsea
- 23/10/19: Ajax 0-1 Chelsea
- 05/11/19: Chelsea 4-4 Ajax
- 27/11/19: Valencia 2-2 Chelsea
- 10/12/19: Chelsea 2-1 Lille
