Chelsea full squad revealed for FC Astana as Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke decisions made
Chelsea could hand debuts to three youngsters on Thursday when they face FC Astana in what is logistically their toughest match of the season so far.
The Blues have currently won four from four in the Conference League but face a mammoth 16-hour round trip to face their hosts in the third tier European competition. Due to the time difference, while it will be 8:30pm local time when the match kicks-off, it will only be 3:30pm in the UK.
Plus, if the long-haul flight was not bad enough for the Blues, they are expected to be playing in temperatures dropping as low as -11C when the game begins. In his pre-match press conference, Enzo Maresca claimed he did not want to use any players that feature in Astana on Thursday night again on Sunday when they host Brentford in the Premier League, but admitted that could be a possibility.
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Judging by his travelling squad selection, the chances are we will see a much different team on Sunday. Pedro Neto is a notable inclusion after he picked up a Premier League suspension in the victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are among the first-teamers also making the long trip. Academy players Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson and Ato Ampah are all included in the first-team squad for the first time and will be hoping to make their debuts.
Chelsea's travelling squad to face FC Astana
Goalkeepers
Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom, Max Merrick.
Defenders
Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson.
Midfielders
Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale.
Forwards
Pedro Neto, Ato Ampah, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka.