Facundo Buonanotte has been added to Chelsea’s Champions League squad following an injury blow to another of the Blues’ summer signings. Highly-rated midfielder Dario Essugo has been forced to undergo surgery on a thigh problem. That has left the door open for Buonanotte to be drafted into Enzo Maresca’s plans ahead of a return to elite European competition.
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Trophy hunt: Blues won two last season
Chelsea savoured continental glory in the Conference League last season, before going on to lift the FIFA Club World Cup. A promising start has been made to their 2025-26 Premier League campaign, with attention now switching to Champions League matters.
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Kane reunion: Familiar foe to be faced
The Blues are preparing for a trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday that will see them line up against former Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Buonanotte could figure in that contest after becoming the beneficiary of a recent rule change.
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UEFA rule: Changes allowed to European squads
UEFA now allows clubs to make changes to their European squad lists if serious injuries are suffered. Essugo falls into that category, with the 20-year-old Portuguese set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after undergoing an operation.
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Initially overlooked: Chance for Buonanotte
Chelsea have confirmed that Buonanotte has been added to their squad. He was initially overlooked on the back of completing an initial season-long loan move to Stamford Bridge from Brighton on transfer deadline day.