By 90min | Created at 2024-11-27 14:36:35 | Updated at 2024-11-30 21:27:32
3 days ago
Chelsea have the chance to make it four victories on the bounce in the Conference League on Thursday when they visit Heidenheim.
The German side also have a perfect record in the league phase of the competition after wins in their opening three games, but their domestic form has been hugely disappointing. They are already out of the DFB Pokal and sit 15th in the Bundesliga ahead of the visit of Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca will make wholesale changes from the team that beat his former employers Leicester City at the weekend, with an entirely new starting XI potentially lining up in Heidenheim. Chelsea's Conference League lineup have proved too hot to handle this term, scoring 16 and conceding just three in their opening three league phase matches.
Here is how Chelsea could line up on Thursday.
Tyrique George may earn another start / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
GK: Filip Jorgensen - Jorgensen continues to play second fiddle to Robert Sanchez despite the shaky performances of the Spaniard. Chelsea's summer recruit has been dependable when used in the cup competitions.
RB: Axel Disasi - Disasi has not always shone when handed increasingly rare starts in a Chelsea shirt but he scored, assisted and kept a clean sheet in the 8-0 mauling of Armenian outfit Noah before the international break.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo - Following a free transfer across west London over the summer, Tosin has had to settle for a spot in Chelsea's second-string XI. He remains some way off penetrating the solid partnership of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill.
CB: Benoit Badiashile - With injuries at right-back forcing a reshuffle at the weekend, Badiashile entered the back four for the victory at the King Power Stadium. He impressed up against Jamie Vardy and co in a commanding display.
LB: Renato Veiga - Veiga made his second and third appearances for Portugal over the international break as he impresses in Chelsea's alternative XI. The youngster's versatility has proven handy for Maresca.
DM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - A four-minute cameo and warm embrace from the Leicester supporters at the weekend will not have satisfied Dewsbury-Hall. He's performing to a high standard in the cup competitions but will be frustrated with a lack of Premier League minutes.
DM: Romeo Lavia - Lavia didn't start at the weekend, entering the fray late in the match and conceding a penalty. Enzo Fernandez's excellent recent displays may relegate the Belgian to the Conference League lineup.
RW: Tyrique George - The highly-rated George started the victory over Noah and performed admirably despite others hogging the headlines. The Conference League could provide the perfect launch pad for the 18-year-old.
AM: Christopher Nkunku - The Frenchman will undoubtedly be frustrated by his lack of Premier League starts but Nicolas Jackson has proved too good to drop this term. Still, Nkunku has been relentless when featuring, scoring ten times this season thus far.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk - Mudryk has provided a goal or assist in all three of Chelsea's Conference League clashes and the Ukraine international is using the competition to find some invaluable form after a difficult start to his Blues career.
ST: Marc Guiu - The summer signing has rarely been involved this season but earned a start and scored in the win over Noah. He only lasted the first half in that victory and will be eager to feature for longer in Germany.
