Enzo Maresca will be taking on a unique challenge when the Blues are next in action on Thursday night against Copenhagen.
The manager has frequently utilised his squad depth whenever the Conference League has rolled around, and this had no impact at all as Chelsea went on to top the group stages.
However, Maresca will be aware that a lot of the players who played the majority of minutes during those games are no longer actually at the club.
Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and Cesare Casadei are amongst those who have departed the club in January, leaving the potential for some new faces to make their mark in the competition.
Enzo Maresca must start Tyrique George for Chelsea vs Copenhagen
The Blues will just be thankful that they are entering this European game off the back of a win, with them not coming too often in recent months at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated Southampton at home, winning 4-0 and putting them in good shape to make their mark in Europe this week.
One of the highlight performances of that win was Tyrique George’s cameo off the bench, as the youngster challenged Callum Hudson-Odoi’s record for the youngest Chelsea assister in Premier League history.
After the game, Maresca was asked about the likelihood that George would be involved in future games, starting with the trip to Denmark.
The manager said: “Yes. Especially because we have the Conference League and then Leicester. For us, the priority is to take the club to where it need to be – which is the Champions League.”
Maresca must deliver on this promise and go one better on Thursday night and start George in a competition he already has plenty of experience in.
Tyrique George impressing Chelsea teammates already
It has been claimed George is holding his own in training with the first team, despite only joining up from the academy earlier this season.
Noni Madueke said before the season even started that Chelsea fans should keep an eye out for the impact the youngster could make on the squad when given the chance.
He said: “Tyrique is talent through the roof. He’s got everything to be a fantastic wing player. He can score with both feet. He’s quick, skilful, can go both ways. He’s a great player. He had a good debut the other day in the Conference League. He’s one you’ve got to look out for as well. Very good player.”
Romeo Lavia also praised George after he made his debut, with it clear that those who are closest to him can see the talent he possesses.
Now it is time for the manager to put the faith in him to deliver on the big stage, starting with the trip to Copenhagen on Thursday.
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