Graham Potter has replaced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Chelsea's Champions League roster with newcomers Joao Felix, Enzo Fernandez, and Mykhailo Mudryk.

The sudden decision to release striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang underscores the forward's deteriorating situation with the Blues, for whom he last made a start in November.

Aubameyang, 33, may have been on Potter's mind when he warned on Thursday that there would be "awkward" conversations as he finalized his squad for the remaining of Chelsea's European season.

Chelsea is lacking a true striker in his absence because the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward has only scored three goals in 18 games this season, 10 of which have been starts.

Aubameyang scored twice against Milan at home and away while starting all six of Chelsea's group stage matches in the Champions League.

Instead, Potter has relied on attacking midfielder Kai Havertz, who has spent much of his career as one, as well as forwards Joao Felix, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, and Mudryk, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Another front-line alternative is Raheem Sterling, who is listed as a midfielder on Chelsea's squad list.

In the Champions League's round of 16, Chelsea plays Borussia Dortmund; the away leg is scheduled for February 15 and the home match is scheduled for March 7.

Given that Chelsea is fading in 10th position in the Premier League, that competition appears to be the club's greatest chance of returning to the Champions League for the upcoming season.

Joao Felix, Mudryk, and fellow January acquisition Fernandez are all included in Potter's squad for Europe, but Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana, and Noni Madueke are the only players that were acquired during the mid-season transfer window.

No more than 25 players could be added to the squad that competed in the group stage, and Chelsea, like all clubs, was only permitted to add three additional names.

Hakim Ziyech, the winger who appeared to be joining Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day but whose deal fell through in the final minutes, was another standout inclusion.