As noted by The Times, Chelsea cannot register new players for next season’s Champions League squad unless they balance out the squad costs from “List A”, which is the last squad registered with UEFA for the second half of the Conference League campaign. The rule means any spending on new players must be balanced out by income from sales.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists he will call on Noni Madueke if needed in Tuesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense despite Arsenal ’s interest in the player.