Chelsea ace handed huge reprieve after Champions League embarrassment
Enzo Maresca has spared a Chelsea star’s blushes after a squad update was confirmed ahead of their first Champions League clash of the season against Bayern Munich in midweek.
Chelsea are set to return to the Champions League in 2025-26 after finishing third in the Premier League last season, with Bayern Munich up first at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday (17 September).
Enzo Maresca’s side flexed their European muscle as they cruised to Conference League glory in May, but things will be a lot harder this time around with the German champions, Barcelona, Ajax and Benfica all to come in the league phase.
Away from the pitch, Chelsea were fined €31million (£27m) by UEFA in July after they breached their earnings and squad-cost rules (SCR), but following numerous big-money summer sales, Todd Boehly and other chiefs were thought to be “relaxed” about being able to register new Chelsea signings for the Champions League.
That meant that one Blues star was left out for playing reasons when Maresca named his squad for the competition at the start of the month, rather than financial, but now a big injury has meant that the player will be able to be picked in the Champions League this term after a squad u-turn.
Facundo Buonanotte named in Chelsea’s Champions League squad as Dario Essugo drops out
Facundo Buonanotte joined Chelsea on loan from Brighton on deadline day in a move that raised eyebrows across the sport after he spent last season with Leicester City and was unable to help save them from relegation to the Championship.
Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine playmaker spoke of his excitement to play in Europe’s premier club competition, saying: “Of course, I’ll get the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time, which will be a great challenge.”
Buonanotte was then left out of Maresca’s initial squad for the competition as his words came back to bite him, but Chelsea have now confirmed that he has been added to their Champions League list in place of midfielder Dario Essugo, who underwent surgery on a thigh injury last week.
Buonanotte could play a key part in Champions League for Chelsea after start vs Brentford
Buonanotte did not exactly rip up trees at Leicester, and the sheer fact that Brighton have loaned a player to Chelsea is strange in itself, but he does have talent and there will obviously be a reason why the Blues have seen fit to bring him into their squad for this campaign.
Maresca handed him a start against Brentford on Saturday (13 September), and while he was taken off at half-time due to not being up to speed, he still created two chances and had 91% pass accuracy [Fotmob] in the 46 minutes that he did play for.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 72 | 9 | 4 |
The 20-year-old is clearly going to play his part this season, and it was a no-brainer for Chelsea to hand him a chance to make his mark in the Champions League, especially considering the potential length of Essugo’s absence.
It would be shock to see him start against Bayern on Wednesday with Cole Palmer now back fit, but a late cameo may be needed if the Blues are in need of a goal or some inspiration to take points back to West London.