Chelsea have bolstered their Champions League squad with the addition of 33 youngsters ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Ajax. Among those added to the B list are the sons of former Blues’ defender Thiago Silva, Isago, and ex-club chief Michael Emenalo’s son, Landon. Promising talents Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Ibrahim Rabbaj and Shim Mheuka have also been included. Clubs are allowed to add an unlimited number of players born on or after January 1, 2004 to their B list the night before a match.
The Daily Mail claim that Chelsea have made this mass inclusion of academy stars to avoid having to register them individually for future games. This means head coach Enzo Maresca can fill his matchday squad with players from the B list if necessary. Chelsea host Ajax in west London, aiming for consecutive victories in Europe’s premier competition. After losing their opening game to Bayern Munich, Maresca’s men narrowly missed out against Benfica last time.
They will be without Joao Pedro due to suspension, potentially paving the way for Marc Guiu to make his first start of the season since his loan spell at Sunderland was cut short.
Here is Chelsea’s full Champions League squad following the new additions…
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Jack Austin (B), Hudson Sands (B), Toby Bell (B).
Defenders: Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorell Hato, Reece James, Genesis Antwi (B), Richard Olise (B), Harrison Murray-Campbell (B), Kobe Barbour (B), Harry McGlinchey (B), Kaiden Wilson (B), Olutayo Subuloye (B), Joseph Wheeler-Henry (B), Calvin Diakite (B), Isago Silva (B), Lewi Richards (B), Dante Waite (B).
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Sam Rak-Sakyi (B), Jimi Tauriainen (B), Harrison McMahon (B), Leo Cardoso (B), Landon Emenalo (B), Sol Gordon (B), Ollie Harrison (B), Yahya Idrissi-Regreagui (B), Frankie Ruhman (B), Shaun Wade (B), Charles Holland (B), Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong (B), Ibrahim Rabbaj (B).
Attackers: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian, Ato Ampah (B), Shum Mheuka (B), Chizaram Ezenwata (B), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (B), Joel Vidal-Phillbert (B).