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Posted on March 7, 2026 11:15 pm | Updated on March 7, 2026 10:55 pm
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed that two academy wingers will travel with the senior squad for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Wrexham. The decision comes as the Blues face limited options in wide areas. Rosenior revealed the news during his pre match press conference on Friday. The Chelsea boss admitted the squad lacks depth on the flanks ahead of the cup tie, so he has turned to the club’s academy for support.
The call up offers a major opportunity for two young players who have been developing well at Cobham and could now experience the senior matchday environment. For both players, travelling with the first team is another step in their progress and a chance to show their potential at a higher level.
Jesse Derry and Ryan Kavuma McQueen included in squad
Rosenior confirmed that academy wingers Jesse Derry and Ryan Kavuma McQueen will travel with the first team for the Wrexham match. Both youngsters have developed well in the academy and now have the chance to experience a senior matchday environment.
“Ryan and Jesse will travel with the group, so they will be part of the squad for Wrexham,” Rosenior told reporters. The manager also highlighted the importance of the club’s development structure and praised academy staff for preparing young players for moments like this.
Derry already has a taste of senior action. Rosenior handed him his Chelsea debut during the FA Cup win against Hull City in the previous round. His selection for the Wrexham game therefore does not come as a major surprise, as the winger has continued to impress in training sessions with the senior group.
Kavuma McQueen’s situation is slightly different. The 17 year old winger is still waiting for his first senior appearance but has already been on the fringes of the squad. Earlier this season, he made the bench during Chelsea’s 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax, though he did not feature in the match.
Chelsea injury situation opens door for academy talent
Chelsea’s attacking depth has taken a hit ahead of the Wrexham tie. Rosenior expects Estevao to miss the match despite his recent return to training, while Jamie Gittens continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Pedro Neto returns to contention after serving a one match suspension following the Aston Villa game, but Alejandro Garnacho played the full ninety minutes in midweek and Rosenior may need to manage his workload carefully.
These circumstances have created an opportunity for younger players to step into the squad. As per the reports, Rosenior and his staff believe the academy players are ready to step into the environment and provide depth if required. The Chelsea boss also stressed the importance of keeping a clear pathway for young players, somethingEnglish football and the Premier League have valued for years.
Rosenior impressed by several academy prospects
While Derry and Kavuma McQueen are the two travelling with the squad, Rosenior revealed that several other academy players have caught his attention during recent training sessions. The manager explained that he regularly observes academy training and enjoys bringing young players into the senior environment to test their development.
“Jesse has really impressed me and Ryan has impressed as well, but it is not just those two,” Rosenior said. He also mentioned Reggie Watson as another youngster who has trained with the senior group and left a strong impression.
Despite the excitement around these talents, Rosenior believes their development must be handled carefully. He added that the moments and experiences of young players would need to be appropriate for their development. For Rosenior, integrating academy players remains an important part of Chelsea’s long term plan as the club continues to build its future squad.
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Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape.Through her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.
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