Barcelona handed double boost as squad for Chelsea showdown revealed

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·24 November 2025

Barcelona handed double boost as squad for Chelsea showdown revealed

Hansi Flick includes key duo in 22-man travelling party for Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge

Marcus Rashford has been included in Barcelona’s travelling squad for their Champions League meeting with Chelsea after illness.

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The Manchester United loanee was on Monday named in Hansi Flick’s 22-man group heading to Stamford Bridge for a high-profile league phase clash, after Barcelona declared that he was “fully fit and available” for the game.

Rashford had resumed training in Catalonia on Sunday, having struggled with a bout of flu in the build-up to Saturday’s 4-0 LaLiga win over 10-man Athletic Club that saw him ruled out of the club’s first game back at the renovated Camp Nou since May 2023.

He will now hope to resume his role in Flick’s starting lineup on his latest return to England, having scored twice to fire Barcelona to an opening victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park back in September.

It has been a productive season-long loan spell so far for Rashford, who has shaken off his prolonged United struggles to become a key player in Spain, registering six goals and nine assists in 16 appearances across all competitions and remaining a favoured option for Thomas Tuchel with England.

Such an impressive start has already convinced Barcelona to trigger their option to sign him permanently at the end of the season for a fee of around £30million, according to recent reports.

Flick’s attacking options will be furthered bolstered against Chelsea after Brazilian forward Raphinha made his return off the bench at the weekend following two months out with a thigh injury.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia started against Athletic Club following a meniscus tear in his knee that had also prevented him from playing since September.

Left-back Alejandro Balde has made the trip to Chelsea with his half-time substitution on Saturday following a head knock only precautionary.

However, the game will come too soon as Pedri makes his way back from a hamstring tear, while midfield colleague Gavi remains sidelined with a serious knee injury that required surgery in September.

Barcelona’s only other known absentee at present is goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Frenkie de Jong is set to return in the middle after missing the win over Athletic Club through suspension after his late sending off in the 4-2 win at Celta Vigo before the international break.