Enzo Maresca took no chances with his squad when it came to his side who took on Copenhagen in the Conference League Round of 16 first leg.
Despite handing starts to Tyrique George and Shumaira Mheuka, the manager was also on hand to give first appearances in the competition to Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo.
Reece James was the star man in his first European appearance of the campaign, as he continued to show that there could be a future for him at Stamford Bridge as a central midfielder.
Enzo Maresca praised James after the game, and gave a positive injury update on Malo Gusto after he was forced off in the first half.
Gusto started at left-back in Denmark, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall named in the attacking role ahead of him on that side.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The summer signing from Leicester has found appearances hard to come by since making the move to Stamford Bridge, with only one Premier League start to his name so far.
The majority of his meaningful showings have been in cup competitions, particularly the Conference League group stages.
Chelsea fans were not impressed, and instead wondered how Joao Felix would have done if he had still been at the club.
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Dewsbury-Hall scored a 4/10 in our player ratings for the game, and looked pretty hopeless in the position he found himself in during the first half.
This was also noticed by TNT Sports commentator Lucy Ward, who highlighted he was struggling on the left in Denmark.
She said: “I’m not sure Dewsbury-Hall looks comfortable on the left.”
“It’s been a problem on the left since Gusto went off. Dewsbury-Hall is better and more natural in a central area. Interesting to see if that changes in the second half.”
Photo credit should read Michael Barrett Boesen / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Photo credit should read Michael Barrett Boesen / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
It seemed as if Maresca noticed this had been a problem too, and the half-time changes saw his position change.
He moved over to the right-hand-side, and while Dewsbury-Hall did not get to feature in his more natural central role, the team’s performance did improve in the second 45.
Dewsbury-Hall’s Chelsea future
During the January transfer window, it looked as if the English midfielder was going to be on the move following a rough start to life in West London.
West Ham were keen on Dewsbury-Hall, however it was Maresca, who was in charge of him at Leicester too, who was key to him staying at the club.
Nevertheless, the future does not look bright for the Chelsea man at Stamford Bridge, as opportunities continue to not come his way.
It is noted that Dewsbury-Hall dreams of playing for England, and it seems he is getting further away from that goal during his time in West London.