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Chelsea completed the league stage of the Europa Conference League by hosting Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers on Thursday evening.
The Blues have beaten their previous five opponents during the league stage and are guaranteed a safe passage to the last 16. The visit of unbeaten Shamrock Rovers should not threaten their perfect record.
Enzo Maresca will make wholesale changes to his starting lineup on Thursday, fielding a squad made up of fringe players and academy products. The Italian has made extensive changes in each of the Blues’ five wins during the league stage given his squad’s incredible depth.
Here’s how Chelsea Shamrock could line up against Rovers.
GK: Philip Jorgensen – Jorgensen has been to Chelsea Conference League The goalkeeper this term has done an impressive job during his European outings. He will be hoping for a third clean sheet in the league stage.
RB: Josh Achampong – After several months in exile, academy starlet Acheampong was finally given his first European opportunity by Mariska against Astana. He performed admirably under difficult conditions and seems to have been rewarded with a new contract.
CB: Tosin Adarabio – Chelsea currently find themselves a little short on centre-back options, following recent injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Adarabio also featured in the weekend win against Brentford.
CB: Axel Disassi – Disassi hasn’t always been error-free in a Chelsea shirt but has improved in recent outings. He has scored twice and kept two clean sheets in his last four appearances for the Blues.
LB: Mark Cucurella – With Cucurella suspended for the weekend clash with Everton Seeing red against BrentfordThe Spaniard could be used in what is essentially a dead rubber fixture for Chelsea.
DM: Cesar Casadei – Casadei missed the trip to Astana as he was serving a one-game suspension following a red card against Heidenheim. He will compete with youngster Sam Rak-Saki for a starting berth.
DM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Dewsbury-Hall excelled in the Chelsea youth team in Kazakhstan. The midfielder has been almost entirely restricted to Conference League outings since moving to west London.
RW: Tyreek George – The 18-year-old came close to opening his Chelsea account against Astana and will get another chance to get his first senior strike here.
AM: Christopher Nkunku – Nkunku has been relentless this season, especially when called upon in the Conference League. However, seven goals in six outings will not be enough to unseat the in-form Nicholas Jackson.
LW: Joao Felix – Felix missed the win at the weekend with a knock but could return to the starting XI in midweek. Mykhailo Mudrik may have started but He recently failed a drug test.
ST: Mark Gue – Last week saw an outstanding display of summer signings in Kazakhstan, Off by two goals – the first of which was excellent.
