Chelsea did not include the newcomer in the Champions League squad: what is the reason.

According to The Sun: Chelsea left the newcomer out of the squad for the Champions League, just a few days after he expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing in this tournament.

Argentine attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte was signed on loan from Brighton for the season to replace Cole Palmer, who is recovering from a groin injury.

Chelsea newcomer Facundo Buonanotte was left out of the Champions League squad Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images alt='Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was trying to make tough decisions' class='alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-36560710' width='960' height='640' /> Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was trying to make tough decisions JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP

After signing the contract, Buonanotte said:

“This is a big step in my career. I will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time, which will be a big challenge.”

So fans were surprised when he did not make the A list for registration for the group stage matches, which will begin with a meeting against Bayern on September 17.

This news was even more unexpected, as Levi Colwill, who is expected to miss most of the season due to an ACL injury, was included in the A list.

Fans hoped to see Buonanotte on the B list, but he was not there. Only Tyreek George, Romeo Lavia, and Josh Achempon were included in this list.

Chelsea easily registered new signings João Pedro, Estevan Wilian, Jorrell Hato, Dario Esugo, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Alejandro Gallardo, who will wear the number 49 shirt in the team, which was announced today.

This was made possible by a successful summer transfer business, in which the club earned over 300 million pounds - a record amount for a Premier League club in a single transfer window.

UEFA regulations state:

“Clubs can register an unlimited number of players on the B list during the season if they are born on or after January 1, 2003 and are elite.”

To be included in the B list, a team member must be born on or after January 1, 2004, and must have been elite in the club continuously for two years or three years with a maximum of one loan period in the same association club not exceeding one year.

Although Buonanotte was born in December 2004, he could not play for Chelsea continuously for two years and was registered at Brighton only since January 2023, meaning he will not be able to be registered for the Champions League until January 2026.

Chelsea squad for the Champions League

Chelsea has announced its squad for the Champions League group stage:

Chelsea's A list: Robert Sanchez, Philip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Jorrell Hato, Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Dario Esugo, Andrey Santos, Liam Delap, Alejandro Gallardo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, João Pedro, Estevan, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guéhi. B list: Tyreek George, Romeo Lavia, and Josh Achempon. Players who did not make it: Facundo Buonanotte, Gaga Slonina, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, and David Datro Fofana - the last three were not even mentioned on the club's website.

This situation raises concerns among Chelsea fans, who hope that the club will find a way to involve Buonanotte in matches in the future. The challenges faced by the club highlight the complexity of registration processes and restrictions. Now all eyes will be on the coach and his managerial decisions in upcoming matches.