Chelsea are facing a Champions League crisis going into the new season.
The Blues, who want Frank Lampard to replace Maurizio Sarri, will return to Europe's top competition next season but a transfer ban imposed by FIFA means they cannot make any new signings.
And while there will be plenty of talent returning to Chelsea from various loan spells this summer, many of these players will not meet the UEFA criteria for 'home-grown' players, says the Daily Mail.
This will leave Sarri's successor to work with fewer than 25 senior players in the Champions League where restrictions are tighter than in the Premier League.
Eight of the 25-man squad for UEFA competitions - or a club's 'A-list' - must classify as 'home-grown' and four of those eight must be 'club-trained'.
