Enzo Maresca has included a few youngsters in his Chelsea squad for today’s Conference League game against Panathinaikos.
Shumaira Mheuka is one academy player who has been picked, which is quite an achievement for the young forward. He only turned 17 last weekend.
Lucas Bergstrom, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George are the other academy talents to be selected by Enzo Maresca.
Josh Acheampong could have been selected, too, but he has been frozen out amid a contract stand-off with Chelsea. Acheampong wasn’t happy about being overlooked during Reece James’ absence.
Chelsea fans excited about Shumaira Mheuka’s inclusion
Chelsea supporters reacted to the news of Mheuka making the travelling squad very positively.
@Blue_Footy said: “Arguably the most promising academy striker. He seems to be rated higher than Washington.”
@CFCLethal posted: “Shim Mheuka finally in the first team.”
@Just_chelseafc wrote: “Also traveling to Greece with the Chelsea squad is highly rated academy striker Shumaira Mheuka. Get familiar with this absolute baller!”
@Dxn_Cfc claimed: “If we get Mheuka minutes I might pass out.”
And finally, @FelixJohnston_ said: “Chelsea rewarding academy players based off merit & it’s great to see.”
Will Shumaira Mheuka get to feature against Panathinaikos?
While Maresca has taken Mheuka and a few other Chelsea youngsters to Greece with him, there is no guarantee that any of them are going to play.
It is still early in the Conference League and the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium is going to be something that these young Chelsea players have never experienced before. Therefore, it would not be a complete shock if Mheuka does not get a run out, especially if Maresca’s men are not winning the game.
Should things play out that way, Chelsea fans should not feel too disappointed. If the team can quickly secure qualification into the knockout round, they may get to see Mheuka make his senior debut just before the league phase of the competition concludes.
One Chelsea player who will definitely be playing against Panathinaikos later is goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Maresca has confirmed that Jorgensen will start, with the 22-year-old set to come in for Robert Sanchez.
Jorgensen has an opportunity to put some real pressure on Sanchez after the Spaniard’s unconvincing performance against Liverpool last weekend.
He was heavily criticised after the game, with Jamie Carragher urging Chelsea to replace Sanchez.
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