Chelsea are well on course to make their way into the Conference League final as they hold a 4-1 lead over Swedish side Djurgarden heading into Thursday's second leg at Stamford Bridge. With their passage almost secured after a strong away performance last week, Enzo Maresca is a good position to rotate his team yet again.
The head coach has been willing to spread the load across his group as he balances a Premier League top five battle. It paid off on Sunday when his many changes were rewarded with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
That win leaves Chelsea in control of their own destiny in a bid to qualify for the Champions League next season. However, that could all change when they visit Newcastle United over the weekend.
Chelsea have a tough task ahead of them with Eddie Howe's men imperious at St James' Park. With that in mind, Maresca's selection against Djurgarden will have to taken into account the trip to the northeast.
Here, football.london writers go through how they would approach the game.
Tom Coley
There's no good reason for Chelsea not to go with a heavily rotated XI here. They were extremely strong in the home second leg against Legia Warsaw last time out and it proved to be problematic when the game turned and Chelsea lost.
Given the importance of Sunday's visit to Newcastle, it is unlikely that Maresca goes as heavy on the first-teamers this time. Quite a lot of the side picks itself. Filip Jorgensen in goal, having spoken to the media on Wednesday, is a dead-cert.
Josh Acheampong will be hopeful of getting some more minutes into his legs after starting the away fixture. Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile are the assured Conference League centre-back partnership.
At left-back, Chelsea only have Marc Cucureella as a natural fit but he could really do with being rested. Malo Gusto has been switched to the opposite flank at times by Maresca and may well be used there here.
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella (Image: Getty Images)
There is also a lack of real depth in midfield. Sam Rak-Sakyi could come in, as could January signing Mathis Amougou. Maresca has generally preferred to give Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo a half each with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall expected to return in his competition.
The frontline could be extremely young. Jadon Sancho will surely take his place again but if Maresca wants to rest Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke then there is a space for teenage attackers Tyrique George and Shumaira Mheuka.
Coley's XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Gusto; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez, Amougou; Sancho, Mheuka, George.
Sam Truelove
Maresca knows he can rotate a few players for the Conference League semi-final second leg clash against Djurgarden, although the Italian will want to ensure his side maintain a winning run as we enter the final stages of the 2024/25 season.
The team is likely to be similar to the one that started in the first leg, maybe with the odd youthful inclusion. With Jorgensen in goal, Badiashile and Adarabioyo can continue their partnership at the heart of the defence.
For me, this is a decent chance to play Acheampong again at right-back with Gusto handed a start on the other side. That means my midfield consists of Reece James and Dewsbury-Hall, who will both want to impress Maresca.
Maybe a surprise to some, I would start Cole Palmer in the No.10 role here and give him maybe 45 minutes, which is just enough time for the England international to grab a goal or two. This seems like an ideal opportunity to give 17-year-old Mheuka the opportunity to lead the line, with fellow teenager George and Sancho my wingers of choice.
Truelove's XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Gusto; James, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Palmer, Sancho; Mheuka
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