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Fans are in two minds over the Chelsea team Enzo Maresca has put out to face Astana in the UEFA Conference League today (December 12). The Blues are cruising at the top of the league standings, with a perfect record of four wins from as many games.
Chelsea secured a 4-3 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday (December 8). Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer (2) and Enzo Fernandez were on target away from home.
Maresca has handed a full debut to English midfielder Samuel Ray-Sayki, 19. Meanwhile, there's starts for Carney Chukwuemeka and academy prospects Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George.
Filip Jorgensen is in goal, replacing Robert Sanchez, while Axel Disasi captains the team. Tosin Adarabioyo and Renato Veiga are in defense, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu also starting.
Neto is the only Chelsea player to remain in the starting XI after beating Spurs. Here's how the Blues line up in Kazakhstan:
Some fans were intrigued by the changes made to the team that beat Tottenham. One fan wrote on X:
"Weirdest Chelsea lineup I’ve seen in like forever."
Another fan was in a buoyant mood:
"Oh gawd pray for Astana. Team C will cook them hard."
Other fans gave similar takes although a rival fan has doubts the team will win:
"Wtf is this? Please we've placed our bets on Chelsea."
Another fan expects victory:
"Funny line up but they're still going to win."
One fan dubbed it experimental:
"Nice experimental squad."
"It’s still a long season ahead" - Jadon Sancho isn't getting carried away with Chelsea title talk
Jadon Sancho celebrates beating Tottenham (Image - Getty)" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c3984-17340144821422-1920.jpg 1920w">
Jadon Sancho celebrates beating Tottenham (Image - Getty)
Sancho has made a sensational start to his Stamford Bridge career after arriving on loan from Manchester United in the summer. The Blues have an obligation to buy for a reported £25 million under certain conditions.
The 24-year-old English winger has helped his new team put themselves in the title race. Maresca has played down their credentials, but they sit second, four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Sancho gave his thoughts on a potential Premier League title challenge and explained there was still a while to go. He said (via Metro):
"We’re taking it game by game. Every game is going to be a tough game, and it’s still a long season ahead. None of the boys are thinking anything right now. Obviously we are glad to be in this position but we have to take it game by game."
Maresca's west Londoners have won nine and lost two of their 15 league games. Their victory over Spurs means they are on a winning run of four games, including wins over Aston Villa (3-0) and Leicester City (2-1).
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Edited by Matthew Guyett