Radamel Falcao is one step closer to the end of his Chelsea — and Premier League as a whole, really — nightmare, while Matt Miazga is, perhaps, one step closer to making his Chelsea and UEFA Champions League debut after the club announced on Wednesday its 22-man roster for the upcoming knockout phase of the competition.

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Falcao, who is this season on loan from Ligue 1 side Monaco after a disastrous loan stint at Manchester United last season, was omitted from the registered squad by manager Guus Hiddink. After another potential move away from west London collapsed on transfer deadline day, reports have emerged that the Colombian could follow in the footsteps of now-former Chelsea teammate Ramires — as well as Jackson Martinez, Gervinho, Fredy Guarin and other high-profile players — and move to the Chinese Super League for another massive payday.

Falcao has been out with a calf injury for three months now and has not featured in any competition since the end of October.

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Miazga made the roster as the fourth natural center back — Branislav Ivanovic can play through the center, but typically starts at right back for the Blues — in the squad, which means his chances of featuring in Europe’s most prestigious club competition are slim, for this year at least. Miazga has been given the no. 20 jersey, the same number he wore with the New York Red Bulls.

With John Terry’s recent announcement that he’ll not be offered a new contract at the end of this season — though Hiddink has since insisted a final decision has not yet been made — next season seems to be Miazga’s best chance to break into the Chelsea first team, provided the club’s new manager, whoever it turns out to be, doesn’t sign another center back to come in ahead of him, thus the Red Bulls academy product is sent out on loan.

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