It can be certain that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be making a heap of changes to his side for the Blues’ return to the EFL Cup this week.
Chelsea take on Barrow at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night, with them hoping to go one better this season than the defeat in the final they suffered last season.
Maresca has been fairly consistent with his team selection so far in this campaign, with a number of players starting every game in the Premier League so far.
With fixtures coming thick and fast in a magnitude of competitions, rotation is going to be key where possible, and tomorrow night is a great opportunity for them to give some of their youngsters a chance to impress.
Of all the players who could be handed an opportunity, the one Maresca should look to start is Josh Acheampong.
Josh Acheampong has to start for Chelsea vs Barrow
The 18-year-old has been seen in first team training, and has had an opportunity to feature recently in the face of an injury crisis at right-back.
Both Reece James and Malo Gusto were not in the matchday squad at the weekend to face West Ham. Maresca has admitted that he doesn’t actually know when James will return.
The manager has claimed he is a big fan of Acheampong, and tomorrow is a great chance to show the faith in him by handing him a start.
Malo Gusto spotted in training last week
A strong performance alongside some of the senior players could be the evidence that Maresca needs to feel like he can include him in the squad for a Premier League match.
Gusto has been seen back in first team training alongside the likes of Romeo Lavia, with the Blues slowly getting through an early crisis of injuries.
With Conference League matches coming up too where rotation will be key, Acheampong can solve a lot of problems if he is ready to feature at this level.
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