Enzo Maresca could be looking to utilise a number of Cobham graduates in Chelsea’s next Champions League game, a formula which Frank Lampard has already cracked when he was in charge of the club.
The Blues are looking to make it two wins in a row in Europe and get their ambitions of finishing in the top eight of the group stage back on track.
Ajax have suffered due to Jorrel Hato’s exit over the summer to Chelsea, and are a side who the Blues have history against in the Champions League.
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Lampard managed a young Chelsea side in 2019 up against Erik ten Hag’s men who were fresh off a semi-final appearance the season before, and boasted a number of top individuals.
Future Chelsea man Hakim Ziyech started the game, however it was the academy-based Blues who came out winning 1-0 thanks to a late Michy Batshuayi winner.
Lampard started four Cobham graduates in the game, with Reece James being another brought off the bench to help secure all three points.
Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori have all now moved on from the club, however Maresca could name his own set of academy graduates in the starting side to face Ajax.
James is likely to be part of the side again for the Blues, and he was part of a Cobham-heavy defence on Saturday against Nottingham Forest that also featured Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah.
UEFA Champions League"Ajax Amsterdam v Chelsea FC"
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Acheampong impressed greatly at the weekend, and would find himself unlucky if he was to drop out of the starting side for someone like Wesley Fofana.
With Joao Pedro suspended, there may be an appetite for Maresca to experiment with the striker position. Tyrique George remains an option, even if it is out of position.
If the manager is looking to take a risk though, Shumaira Mheuka has established himself as the best possible option for a player to come straight in from the academy. The youngster has 10 goals in as many games for the young Blues this season.