Chelsea are set to offer a significant opportunity to numerous academy players this week as the team embarks on a 7,000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan.
The Blues face Astana in their fifth UEFA Conference League group stage match. With four wins from four games, Chelsea is keen to rest key first-team players on Thursday. The club had always planned to give some of their brightest academy talents a chance in Kazakhstan. Considering their position at the top of the Conference League table, this is seen as the perfect opportunity to do so.
Following the recent 2-0 victory against Heidenheim, Kaiden Wilson, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Ato Ampah, Max Merrick, Josh Acheampong, Shim Mheuka, and Richard Olise were all added to the Conference League squad. Of these, Acheampong, Dyer, George, McMahon, and Merrick have been involved since the start of the competition.
Rak-Sakyi, who has already made appearances against Noah and Heidenheim as a substitute, could be given another chance to shine against Astana. Meanwhile, for Ampah, Olise, Wilson, and Murray-Campbell, the match might provide an opportunity for their senior debuts. Similarly, Dyer and Mheuka, who have previously been included in matchday squads, might make their professional on-pitch debut.
However, it remains uncertain who will make the journey to Almaty, Kazakhstan. The inclusion of 11 academy players in the squad emphasizes the Conference League’s role in offering young players opportunities they might not otherwise receive.
Further details regarding the traveling squad are expected this morning (Wednesday) as Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca conducts his pre-match press conference at Cobham at 8:30am GMT.
