Chelsea take on Astana on Thursday afternoon in their latest chapter of the Conference League.
Chelsea have landed in Kazakhstan with a 20-man traveling squad to face Astana, and it’s unsurprising that so many first-team stars have been left back in England to avoid making such a long trip.
There’s a very strong representative from the Blues academy in the group, so let’s see if Enzo Maresca hands out any senior debuts.
In terms of the Conference League group phase, Chelsea sit top of the table with four wins from four. In fact, they’ve scored dominated the competition so far by scoring 18 goals in the four group matches.
Chris Sutton insists Chelsea must win the Conference League. So far this season, they’ve looked head and shoulders above anybody else in the tournament.
Axel Disasi of Chelsea during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 press conference at the Cobham Training Ground on December 11, 20...
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea confirm squad vs Astana
Chelsea have confirmed via their official website the 20-man party that has travelled to Kazakhstan.
Interestingly, academy players Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson and Ato Ampah are all involved with the senior squad for the very first time.
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom, Max Merrick
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Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson
Midfielders: Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale
Forwards: Pedro Neto, Ato Ampah, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka
As you can see above, plenty of big names have been omitted and rest for the midweek away day in Europe. It should mean there’s some fresh faces for Sunday’s Premier League fixture at home to Brentford.
Noni Madueke hasn’t travelled in Chelsea’s European squad, so he should be in line to start versus Brentford. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto is suspended for the upcoming league match, so he’s made the long trip to Kazakhstan.
Predicting the Chelsea XI
Now we know the Chelsea squad that’s travelled to face Astana, let’s have a go at predicting the starting line-up for Thursday’s 3:30pm kick-off.
Jorgensen
Acheampong Disasi Adarabioyo Veiga
Chukwuemeka Dyer Dewsbury-Hall
Neto Guiu George
It would be great to see plenty of Chelsea youngsters get some first-team minutes after making the long trip to Kazakhstan, but there’s still three points to be gained and a potential strong XI to select from the off.
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