Chelsea hit major blows ahead of Tuesday’s UCL clash with PSG

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior says captain Reece James could be sidelined for “weeks” with a hamstring injury, dealing a major blow ahead of the club’s UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Paris Saint‑Germain on Tuesday. 

James missed training on Monday and has been ruled out of the match as Chelsea attempt to overturn a heavy first-leg defeat.

Chelsea trail the tie 5–2 after losing in Paris, where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice to give the defending European champions a commanding advantage. 

Despite the deficit, striker Joao Pedro insisted the squad still believes a comeback is possible. 

He said the team had endured a difficult week but remained confident in their ability, adding that the players, manager, and supporters should continue to believe.

Rosenior also addressed the controversy surrounding Chelsea’s unusual pre-match team huddles, which recently drew criticism after players gathered around referee Paul Tierney in the centre circle before their defeat to Newcastle United. 

The Chelsea boss said the issue had been “blown out of proportion” and insisted the players only wanted to show unity. 

He added that the club did not intend to antagonise anyone and that he would decide where the team holds its huddle in future matches.

The manager further confirmed that winger Pedro Neto will be available for the PSG game after receiving only a warning from UEFA for unsporting conduct. 

Neto had pushed a ball boy during the first leg in Paris, but avoided a suspension after apologising for the incident.

Off the pitch, Chelsea were fined £10 million by the Premier League after admitting to making £47 million in undisclosed payments to unregistered agents and third parties during transfers between 2011 and 2018, when the club was owned by Roman Abramovich. 

The league said the fine would have been £20 million, but was reduced because Chelsea cooperated and self-reported the breaches following the 2022 takeover by Todd Boehly’s consortium.

The club also received a suspended transfer ban and an immediate nine-month academy transfer restriction related to youth registrations between 2019 and 2022. 

Rosenior said the sanctions were “not a negative distraction”, describing them as a line drawn under the issue as Chelsea focus on rebuilding and preparing for their crucial Champions League encounter with PSG.