Forgotten Chelsea trio Ross Barkley, Lewis Baker and Malang Sarr have all been handed squad numbers and named in the club’s 25-man Champions League squad after failing to gain moves away this summer.
Ross Barkley, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa after falling down the pecking order since Thomas Tuchel arrived at the club, has been given the number 18 shirt.
Meanwhile, academy graduate Baker was shipped out to Turkish club Trabzonspor last term in a bid to get some much needed first team minutes. He has been given the number 32 jersey and will provide cover for the Blues’ first team midfielders.
Malang Sarr, who will wear the number 31 shirt, arrived on a free transfer from French side Nice last summer, before being immediately loaned out to Portuguese giants Porto.
However, they are expected to be given limited first team minutes due to the strength in depth among their already star-studded squad.
If there are injuries to key players, then the once unwanted men could be given a second chance to impress Tuchel and his staff
Chelsea begin their Champions League defence against Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg at Stamford Bridge on September 14 before travelling to Turin to face arguably their strongest of the group, Juventus.
