Chelsea register Giroud, Barkley, Palmieri in Champions League squad

London Feb 2 (IANS) Chelsea on Friday registered Olivier Giroud Ross Barkley and Emerson Palmieri in the list of footballers available for the Champions League ahead of the last-16 tie against Barcelona.

Chelsea are scheduled to face the La Liga giants in the first leg on February 20 at Stamford Bridge with the three new signings of this winter market chosen to participate by coach Antonio Conte reports Efe.

French forward Giroud joined Chelsea on January 31 after abandoning their London rivals Arsenal for an undisclosed fee that British media put around 15 million pounds ($21 million).

Midfielder Barkley who came from Everton arrived at Chelsea in the early days of the winter market for an amount close to $20 million.

To strengthen the defensive line Chelsea signed Emerson Palmieri who came from Roma for around $25 million.

Despite the fact that Roma played the Champions League an ankle injury prevented Palmieri from taking part in the competition with the Italian club so he can now participate with Chelsea.

--IANS
pur/vd