Chelsea did not register Ghana international Michael Essien for the Group stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The midfielder was not named in Jose Mourinho 23-man squad submitted to Europe’s football governing body.
The 30-year-old has been unused at Stamford Bridge since returning from a loan spell at Real Madrid under the Portuguese trainer Mourinho.
He is down the pecking order in the midfield department behind Ramires, youngster Marco Van Ginkel and Mikel Obi.
Chelsea’s squad list published on Wednesday includes new signings Samuel Eto’o and Brazilian Willian.