Chelsea have travelled to Germany for Thursday’s European match against Heidenheim without several key first-team stars.
Chelsea play Heidenheim on Thursday evening in the Conference League group stages, where they currently sit top of the table.
The Blues have confirmed the 21-man squad that has landed in Germany for the midweek fixture. Interestingly, the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez haven’t travelled to give them some time to rest.
There’s a strong representative from the Chelsea academy in this week’s senior group. Enzo Maresca, the first-team boss, has previously shown he’s prepared to play the rising stars, too.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly really values the club’s academy, so it’s important to see the pathway into the first team remains open
Shumaira Mheuka of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on November 6, 2024 in Cobham, England.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo praises Chelsea youngster Shumaira Mheuka
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 27, is one of the more experienced heads in the club’s travelling squad this week.
During a pre-match press conference, Tosin was asked about Blues youngster Shumaira Mheuka, who’s with him in the squad versus Heidenheim. He’s described the 17-year-old striker as a “top talent” with plenty of ability.
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“He’s (Mheuka) a top talent and hopefully, he will get onto the pitch tomorrow and impress,” Adarabioyo said via Chelsea’s official YouTube channel.
“My advice would be just go out, play free and do what you do, that’s what’s when you play best. I’ve not seen him play many games but in training, he has a great ability with the ball at his feet and from what I’ve heard he’s able to score a lot of goals.
“It’s difficult to find an out-and-out striker who can score many goals, so hopefully, he’s one of the players that can do that for us.”
Mheuka is still yet to make his first-team debut despite impressing in Chelsea’s Under-21s. However, he was in the matchday squad and was an unused substitute against Panathinaikos last month.
Mheuka explains it’s surreal being with Chelsea’s senior squad because he’s supported the club since he was a kid.
Let’s see if the English teenager is handed his first taste of senior football during what looks like a challenging trip to Heidenheim.
Marc Guiu needs Chelsea minutes
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, 18, is another youngster at the club in desperate need of some more minutes.
Maresca should start Chelsea youngster Guiu versus Heidenheim, which would be a rare start for him this season.
Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have been battling it out for the No.9 position this year, which has left Guiu third in the pecking order. The biggest benefit of this Conference League competition is that it gives the manager the chance to shuffle his pack.
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