Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Chelsea could line up for Thursday’s Europa Conference League clash with Gent at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca could make 11 changes to his Chelsea team for the second cup game in a row when Gent make the trip to Stamford Bridge in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
The Chelsea boss changed his entire team for the visit of Barrow in the EFL Cup last midweek, and it had no negative effect on the side, as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.
That may see Maresca reward those players with another opportunity here, despite there being little chance of them breaking into the Premier League side at present, which is performing excellently.
Chelsea won a third straight league game at the weekend, as Cole Palmer plundered four first-half goals in a 4-2 success over Brighton & Hove Albion, but the England international is not in their Conference League squad, so he will not feature here.
With the attacking talent in reserve, Maresca will not need to risk in-form Nicolas Jackson either, considering Christopher Nkunku scored a hat trick in a rare start in the cup last week.
Out wide, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho can also rest their legs, with Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk itching for game time, while Joao Felix should also come in to replace Palmer.
Filip Jorgensen has been Chelsea’s cup keeper this season, and he is set to replace Robert Sanchez, who had an afternoon to forget on Saturday despite Chelsea’s victory, being culpable in conceding both of Brighton’s goals at the Bridge.
The return of Romeo Lavia is also well-timed, as he is back in the mix after six games on the sidelines, and the Belgian could build up his match fitness in the engine room alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been unable to usurp Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the league XI.
Maresca brought Ben Chilwell back in from the cold and gave him 45 minutes against Barrow last week, but he is also not in their European squad, so Renato Veiga could be utilised at full-back here.
Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are the nailed-on European centre-back pairing, but right-back is the most debatable position, with Reece James out injured and Malo Gusto likely to be rested, potentially giving young Josh Acheampong a chance to start for the first team.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Badiashile, Renato Veiga; Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
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