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Chelsea fans were left disappointed as midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka was left out of the starting XI for their UEFA Europa Conference League game against Heidenheim on November 28. The Blues are looking to claim a fourth win from four games when they face the German outfit at the Voith Arena in Heidenheim.
Enzo Maresca's side has recorded an unblemished record so far in the Conference League this season, winning all three games. The Italian tactician has opted for a strong side to face the Bundesliga outfit, starting the likes of Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku.
Maresca opted to start England youth international Carney Chukwuemeka on the bench for the tie, continuing the trend that has gone on since the start of the campaign. The former Aston Villa youngster has found it impossible to break into the preferred team of the coach since his arrival in the summer.
Chukwuemeka has once again been named on the bench while Maresca opted for Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku in midfield. Maresca's choice was met with a feeling of certainty from fans that Chukwuemeka does not have a future at the club, and they reacted on X.
A fan predicted that the 21-year-old will leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
"Carney still cannot get a start.. He's probably gone in January..", they wrote.
Another fan questioned the decision of Maresca to leave out the youngster.
"Feel bad for Carney fr. What does he have to do to get a start?😑", they posted.
Another fan pointed out that the midfielder is not in the good books of his coach.
"This Lineup really show Enzo Maresca don't like Carney Chukwueka if not he deserves to start this match", they posted.
A fan criticized Maresca for benching Chukwuemeka.
"No Carney in the starting XI is criminal", they wrote.
Another fan shared a similar opinion, calling out Maresca for his choice.
"maresca doing everything in his power to not start carney 🙂↕️ okay man", they posted.
Carney Chukwuemeka has only appeared three times for Chelsea this season, all in cup competitions. The midfielder has yet to be included in a single matchday squad in the Premier League after the coach recommended he be sent out on loan in the summer.
Jadon Sancho returns to Chelsea XI for Heidenheim clash
English forward Jadon Sancho is set to make his UEFA Europa Conference League debut for Chelsea in their clash against Heidenheim. The on-loan Manchester United man has been included in the starting XI for the game.
Sancho enjoyed a dream start to life at Stamford Bridge after his Deadline Day loan move from Manchester United in the summer. He recorded three assists in his first three outings in blue. The 24-year-old has since been plagued by injuries, only making his return with a brief cameo against Leicester City on Saturday, November 23.
Jadon Sancho last started a game for the Blues on October 20, when they visited Liverpool, and he played only 45 minutes. He starts alongside Marc Guiu and Mykhailo Mudryk as the front three for Chelsea against Heidenheim.
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Edited by Aditya Singh