Chelsea will no doubt be keen to make it five wins from five in the Conference League this season when they line up in Kazakhstan tomorrow night.
The Blues will be taking on the conditions as well as they’re opponents, Astana. After a long-haul flight, the game is likely to take place in temperatures rivalling -11 degrees.
For this reason, numerous first team players will now not make the journey to the other side of Europe.
Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 press conference at the Cobham Training Ground on Dec...
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea always wanted to use youngsters vs Astana in Conference League
Enzo Maresca already confirmed that Noni Madueke would be staying at Cobham, whilst claiming Josh Acheampong will be handed a start after his spell frozen out.
As always, Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia will not be included in the squad having not been named on the list of eligible players for the group stages.
It could well be an evening for youngsters. Football London have claimed that it was always the plan at Chelsea for the academy talent to be given a chance, with them now feeling that this is the ideal time to do so.
Maresca could hand out as many as eight first team debuts with players included in the Conference League squad, with the protection of the first team seeming to be at the forefront of the manager’s thinking.
Who could debut for Chelsea vs Astana tomorrow?
The likes of Richard Olise, Kiano Dyer and Shumaira Mheuka are all in the squad, with there being plenty of excitement about the latter right now.
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Tosin Adarabioyo has been full of praise for Mheuka, who was seen on the bench for the recent trip to Germany to face Heidenheim.
Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu have started the Conference League games up front, with the former scoring in every single group stage game so far.
However, this could be a real opportunity for the 17-year-old to make his mark on Maresca, just a month after signing his professional contract with the club.