While the race for Champions League qualification from the Premier League hots up, Chelsea’s attention will temporarily shift to the Conference League this week.
The Blues are looking to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition, and currently lead Copenhagen 2-1 after the first leg.
Enzo Maresca selected a mix of youth and first teamers for the trip to Denmark, and some of his half-time changes made the difference last week.
Enzo Fernandez changed the game, scoring the winning goal for the Blues. However, with a huge game against Arsenal at the weekend, there will be an eye on that as Stamford Bridge hosts the two sides on Thursday.
The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the side who will look to book Chelsea’s place in the last eight of the Conference League.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Chelsea predicted XI vs Copenhagen
Filip Jorgensen
As the goalkeeping situation shows no signs of settling down at Stamford Bridge, Robert Sanchez started in the Premier League against Leicester last time out.
This will see Filip Jorgensen return to the starting side for the Conference League, a competition he has racked up a large amount of his Chelsea appearances.
Josh Acheampong
Josh Acheampong has not started for Chelsea in nearly two months now, after agreeing to sign a contract that committed his future to the club.
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After Reece James and Malo Gusto were absent at the weekend, and Wesley Fofana is not in the European squad, it is a straightforward decision to start the youngster.
Trevoh Chalobah
Maresca will be delighted that his injured crop of defenders have begun to return to the available list, with one of those being Trevoh Chalobah.
After not starting against Leicester, it seems an easy decision for the Cobham graduate to return to the backline against Copenhagen.
Benoit Badiashile
Benoit Badiashile returned in the first leg of this tie from a lengthy absence, and did little wrong before what looked a planned half-time replacement.
With Levi Colwill playing a lot of minutes of late, he will be handed a rest for the Frenchman this week.
Marc Cucurella
One of Chelsea’s most important players right now, Marc Cucurella scored the only goal of Chelsea’s win over Leicester City at the weekend.
After Renato Veiga’s departure, there are very few options to replace him in the starting side, and the Spaniard will continue at left-back.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo survived a yellow card against Leicester and will be eligible to face Arsenal at the weekend.
He played 45 minutes in Denmark before being replaced by Fernandez, and expect something similar at Stamford Bridge for the second leg.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains a bit-part player at Chelsea, with the Conference League the competition where he has started most of these games.
He will start again this week, however he will no doubt be getting frustrated he hasn’t been trusted with more chances in the top flight.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho is one of the few players who started against Leicester who we are expecting to remain in the side for the Copenhagen clash.
Sancho admitted he is frustrated at his lack of goals of late, with him not finding the net since December.
Tyrique George
The academy graduate has certainly been knocking on the door lately for a Premier League start after impressing with cameos off the bench.
Tyrique George picked up an assist in the first leg, and will be hopeful that he can have a similar impact in West London.
Christopher Nkunku
Despite injuries seeming to be a thing of the past, it has been a frustrating season for Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea.
A lot of his joy has come in the Conference League, and he will be hoping he can kick on for the rest of the season as a result of Thursday’s game.
Shumaira Mheuka
The biggest call made by Maresca for the first leg was handing Shumaira Mheuka his first Chelsea start, before replacing him at half-time.
It is fair to say things didn’t go his way in the first leg, but the ongoing striker issues at Stamford Bridge mean he should be handed another chance on the big stage.