Chelsea will put their faith in youth for sub-freezing 7,000-mile round midweek trip to Kazakhstan – as Enzo Maresca rests surprise title challengers’ star men
- Chelsea have won four out of four games in the Conference League
- Enzo Maresca’s team is second in the Premier League, four points behind Liverpool
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Chelsea are putting their faith in their youth as they prepare to face Astana in freezing conditions in Kazakhstan, having added a bundle of academy boys to their Conference League squad in preparation for the 7,000-mile round trip.
Enzo Maresca’s side have won four of their four matches in the league stage and sources say it was always part of the plan to give their Cobham tie a chance if they reached this fifth draw with a perfect record. It remains to be seen who will make Maresca’s starting line-up in the city of Almaty, where it is expected to reach minus 11 on Thursday, as the academy call-ups will be combined with a number of senior stars. .
Maresca will also make the long journey to Kazakhstan along with his selected squad, despite speculation suggesting he could divert the trip. Chelsea return to training on Tuesday for the first time since their 4-3 win over Tottenham, as the team was given Monday off.
While it has not yet been confirmed exactly which academy players will travel, 11 have now been included in their updated Conference League squad with UEFA, including: Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Ato Ampah, Max Merrick, Josh Acheampong and Richard Olise, the brother of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise.
When Chelsea first entered the competition, only five were included in the squad, namely: Acheampong, Dyer, George, McMahon and Merrick.
Chelsea can add any number of youngsters to their squad’s ‘B list’ whenever they want and they have made additions as the stages of the competition progressed, with 19-year-old Rak-Sakyi coming off the bench in their wins in the Conference League. Noah and Heidenheim last month.
Kiano Dyer (left) and Shumaira Mheuka could both make their Chelsea debuts in Kazakhstan
England U21 goalkeeper Max Merrick is in contention for the Conference League match
Enzo Maresca’s young Chelsea side are riding high in both the Premier League and Europe
Should they travel and feature as starters or substitutes, Astana would mark senior debuts for Murray-Campbell, Wilson, Dyer, Ampah, Mheuka and Olise, as well as 19-year-old goalkeeper Merrick.
Chelsea have full confidence in their starlets as they come from a highly professional setting at Cobham, regarded as one of the best production lines for talent in the country. It won’t clash with Under-21 duties either, with their next Premier League 2 match not until Monday evening in Newcastle.
Levi Colwill is also listed as a ‘B’ player in Chelsea’s squad, with the 21-year-old England international qualifying because he is so young. Those born from January 2003 onwards are eligible as long as they have been able to play for the club since their 15th birthday for a continuous period of two years, or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one on loan to any team. from the same football club.
Maresca’s pre-match press conference will take place in Cobham on Wednesday morning before he and the players begin their long journey for Thursday’s European match. Chelsea’s next Premier League match is at home to Brentford in a rare 7pm kick-off on Sunday as they look to maintain their surprise lead as title contenders.