Often, when 10 changes are made to a team for matches in non-Premier League fixtures, it is more telling to analyse who is playing than who is not. For Chelsea this season, that has certainly been the case.

Enzo Maresca has drawn clear lines in his squad with his selection actions, even if his public stance is more open towards there not being a split in who he favours and who he doesn't. With the January transfer window adding extra context for those in action - and those left out entirely - it says a lot for who is actually included.

For example, December's Conference League trip to Astana saw almost all of those making the journey left out the following weekend. They were sacrificial lambs, in essence. The final group match of the competition at home to Shamrock Rovers also saw what is surely the end of Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Harvey Vale.

READ MORE: Juventus prioritise Chelsea transfer deal despite player's wish to stay

READ MORE: Chelsea leapfrog Real Madrid in race to sign Arsenal 'target' who idolises Mikel Arteta signing

There is little surprise that the same group of players have been peripheral, at best, over the weeks since. Maresca admitted that due to players angling for an exit, several would not be in Saturday's matchday squad for the FA Cup third round tie against Morecambe.

For those that did still make it, Maresca's choice has wider ramifications. As can be expected, with Bournemouth to come on Wednesday in a tricky and important league fixture, the bulk of the main XI were rested.

The absence of centre-back Josh Acheampong - and subsequently the starts for Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo - was evidence of a significant shift in the hierarchy over the past 10 days. The 18-year-old now looks to be first-choice along with Levi Colwill in defence.

The call to offer him a full Premier League debut away to Crystal Palace was bold by Maresca, and this now cements his spot. At a time whereby the club are considering options for January reinforcement, it is a brave decision.

Maresca is putting his faith in an academy graduate rather than two players signed by the new owners and more specifically the club's sporting directors. Disasi, for one, was purchased for £39million in 2023, but is already below Acheampong in the pecking order despite a contract stand-off which saw the youngster banished from playing or even training for over two months.

Tosin, largely deemed to be a replacement for Trevoh Chalobah when he arrived on a free transfer, also looks to have fallen out of favour. It means that Acheampong is now seemingly behind only Wesley Fofana (when fit) in their right centre-back spot. This would have been hard to predict just six weeks ago when he was still negotiating a long-term deal and a pathway back into the thinking.

As for Disasi, who the club are not actively looking to sell in the same manner as others, but would not prevent from leaving if the right offer came in, it is more evidence of the mountain he now has to climb in order to forge even a short-term future at the club. He is now fourth in line to play either at right-sided centre half or right-back.

Tosin is still in a spot as a capable squad player able to fill in and challenge, but Acheampong's rise to him not even needing FA Cup minutes for development or appeasement is a message to those he is actively competing against. Disasi is not yet in a position like Casadei and Co. where there are no opportunities to play anymore but his role has never been as small - and that will matter moving into the rest of the January window.