So does this rule out any potential draws for us?
No, at this stage we can play any non-English side from Pots 2, 3, and 4 (one from each), but that changes as each team is drawn.
i.e. If we are in Pot A for example, and Bayern are in B, Real are in C, then we would not be able to draw Dortmund or Barcelona as we know they will be placed in the other half of the draw (E,F,G,H)
If we are in Pot A-D and Real get placed in Pot E-H, there is a 66% chance of us getting a Spanish side as Barcelona and either Atleti
or Sevilla have to be placed in A-D, and Chelsea or Tottenham would also have to be A-D but not in ours.
It is clear and transparent in my opinion, but initially complicated to understand, and even UEFA got it wrong for the Knockouts last season.