Tottenham Hotspur FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Chelsea's fans were full of praise for academy stars Josh Acheampong and Sam Rak-Sakyi after their full debuts for the club in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Blues ran out comfortable 3-1 winners against Astana in freezing conditions in Almaty on Thursday, with several youngsters getting a run-out.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca made wholesale changes to not just the XI, but the squad that prosecuted the clash. The teenage duo of Acheampong and Rak-Sakyi started the game, with 18-year-old Tyrique George also starting for the Blues.
Of the youngsters to feature, the duo of Acheampong and Rak-Sakyi caught the eyes of the Blues fans due to their respective impressive performances. Fans showered them with praises on X as they helped the club secure passage into the Round of 16 of the competition in style.
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A fan praised them for their display in the game.
"rak sakyi and josh acheampong. very very moving experience", they wrote.
Another fan declared the duo to look like real prospects.
"I see the vision with Rak Sakyi and Acheampong, they both look like real prospects", they posted.
Another fan praised the duo once more, hailing the academy involvement for the Blues.
"Rak Sakyi and Acheampong this game🫡🫡 great to see academy boys doing well", they wrote.
A fan hailed their performance in the game as 'nuts'.
"Rak Sakyi and Acheampong were nuts today 👍", they posted.
Another fan declared the pair to be ballers.
"Rak sakyi and acheampong are ballers btw", they wrote.
A fan hailed them for their display.
"Rak sakyi & Acheampong. Fair enough lads", they posted.
Making his first start after spending a period frozen out of the side, Acheampong impressed in the hybrid right-back role, playing the full 90 minutes. He finished the game with a 94% passing accuracy, completing four of six long balls attempted. He also won six of nine duels and made six ball recoveries for his side.
Meanwhile, Rak-Sakyi started as the sides's deepest midfielder in the absence of Moises Caicedo. The 19-year-old had a 99% passing accuracy, creating one chance. He played for 86 minutes, making five recoveries and winning five of 10 duels in the game.
Youthful Chelsea defeat Astana in Almaty
A very young Chelsea side put Astana to the sword in their UEFA Europa Conference League clash to extend their 100% record in the competition. The Blues ran out 3-1 winners in the freezing cold in Almaty to pick up a sixth successive win in all competitions.
Marc Guiu opened the scoring after an intelligent solo run in the 14th minute. He then forced an own goal from Aleksandr Marochkin four minutes later to double the lead. The Blues scored a third in the 39th minute as Renato Veiga powered home a header to all but put the game to bed.
Astana pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through captain Marin Tomasov, but they failed to score any more goals. Enzo Maresca had the liberty to hand out Chelsea debuts to Shumaira Mheuka, Ato Ampah, and Kiano Dyer, while Harvey Vale also made an appearance off the bench.