Chelsea head into their final Champions League seeding game against Napoli with a top-eight spot up for grabs.
Chelsea must come away with all three points against Napoli if they are to stand any chance of booking themselves an automatic place in the Round of 16.
Every team plays on Wednesday, which adds to the excitement around it all.
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Chelsea are set to welcome Cole Palmer back to the fold, and the other positive news is that Romeo Lavia is back training after an extended period out.
However, there is a surprise inclusion in Chelsea’s squad.
Freddy Bernal named in Chelsea’s squad to face Napoli
Liam Rosenior hasn’t been shy to give youngsters a chance, with Jesse Derry and others featuring regularly in first-team training since his arrival.
The latest to appear in first-team training is goalkeeper Freddy Bernal, who is just 17 years of age.
And it’s gone even further this time round, as Bernal has been named in Chelsea‘s 24-man squad to face Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
While he’s unlikely to feature, this is the first time he’s been involved after a couple of appearances in first-team training this season.
Who is the most exciting academy talent at Cobham right now?👀
Let us know of any young players we may have missed…
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
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Who is Freddy Bernal?
Freddy Bernal is currently developing within the Chelsea academy and representing England at the U18 level. He is widely considered one of the brightest young talents at Cobham, known for his modern playing style and shot-stopping ability.
Although he has been called up to train with the senior team and has featured for the U21s in the EFL Trophy, he has not yet made a competitive first-team matchday squad.
He recently committed his future to the club by signing a professional contract in late 2025, fending off significant interest from other Premier League rivals.
However, at that point, the most bizarre thing was that Bernal was yet to keep a clean sheet.
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