Former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca continued his remarkable start to life at Chelsea on Thursday as the Blues secured their spot in the last 16 of the Conference League.
Maresca, who left City for Stamford Bridge in the summer, has won 16 of his first 24 games this season. Chelsea are currently second in the Premier League table, four points off Liverpool and also perfect in Europe.
Thursday's 3-1 win over Astana meant the west Londoners have already qualified for knockout stages of the tournament, one that they are heavy favourites to lift.
READ MORE:Leicester City predicted line-up v Newcastle with Ruud van Nistelrooy to make three changes
READ MORE:Leicester City boost as ever-present Newcastle star hit with injury
Maresca has inherited a huge squad in the capital with certain players, including ex-Leicester man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, falling into the crop of players who predominantly play outside of the Premier League.
The unique circumstances surrounding the trip, including an additional 800-mile journey from Astana's home ground for a 3:30pm kick-off (UK time) in sub-zero temperatures, resulted in a heavily rotated squad.
Given the physical demands of eight hours of travel each way, followed by a game and minimal sleep, Chelsea took almost no risks. Even regular Conference League players Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku were left at home, as was Noni Madueke, who didn't start against Tottenham.
One player who has fallen below Maresca's second string of players is Ben Chilwell. The left-back has made just one appearance all season having been part of the summer bomb squad, up for sale throughout.
He didn't secure a move away from Chelsea and was eventually reintegrated into the squad. However, he was left out of the Conference League squad for the league phase and has been forced to watch on from the sidelines.
Not even being able to play in games as low-key and rotation-heavy as an icy night in Astana is some fall from grace for Chilwell, who was at the peak of his powers in European competition previously under Thomas Tuchel.
Maresca hasn't addressed the situation with Chilwell for some time but made no attempt to hide his plans for the former Leicester man previously. "The idea for him was to leave," the head coach said earlier this season before Chilwell's first and only appearance. "In the moment that he’s here, he’s one of the squad, he’s training."
He added: “Yes [he could play again], in the moment we need him, why not? I said already many times and I will say again that, as long as Chilly is with us, he is a Chelsea player. And if we need him, we give him a chance and minutes."
With the January transfer window approaching, Chilwell is one of several players to be pushed towards a mid-season exit. Former City loanee Cesare Casadei is another.