Very few first team players were on display for Chelsea as they took on Astana in their fifth Conference League group stage game.
A whole host of Blues youngsters braved the cold of Kazakhstan to bring another three points back to England following a 3-1 win over Astana.
Pedro Neto looked a cut above the rest in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, with the majority of players normally on display in this competition nowhere to be seen.
Those who have been on the fringes of the Premier League side have often been handed the chance by Enzo Maresca to make their mark in the Conference League.
One player who has been forced to settle for that this season is Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman has just two league starts to his name this season.
Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea blows up his balloon during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary's Stadium on De...
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Christopher Nkunku may be injured
The former RB Leipzig star is actually the club’s top scorer in all competitions this season, sitting just ahead of Cole Palmer.
While tonight may have presented an opportunity for the striker to continue to add to his impressive goal tally this season, he did not end up making the trip across Europe.
It was claimed during the commentary of the game for TNT Sports that pundit Joe Cole had heard he was not involved due to a minor injury he had picked up.
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Nkunku frustrated at Chelsea
Nkunku is reportedly frustrated at his minutes at Stamford Bridge this season. He has been unable to displace Nicolas Jackson from the starting side.
After agreeing on a deal to join the Blues was announced pretty much two years ago now, things have not kicked on for him in West London for various reasons.
Reports have already begun to claim that he could be on the move at the end of the season, although has reportedly by no means kicked up a fuss at his situation as it stands.
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