Enzo Maresca’s masterstroke as £30m Chelsea man shows he is coming good at the perfect time after Conference League win

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Chelsea put out a message to every other side in the Conference League with a dominant display in the Conference League quarter-final first leg.

After a frustrating first 45 minutes, the Blues ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Tyrique George and a brace for Noni Madueke.

George had more than earned his start after being snubbed for Premier League minutes recently, and the joy on his face after finding the net was a real joy to see.

Enzo Maresca made a number of changes to his starting side, no doubt with an eye on a set of crucial Premier League games to come in the race for Champions League football.

One player who kept his place after making a rare league start was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a player who has seen the majority of his minutes come in the Conference League this season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall coming good at the perfect time for Chelsea

Many have been questioning Chelsea’s decision to spend £30m on a player who has been at times a long way off the starting side this season.

However, Dewsbury-Hall impressed in our player ratings, and in a midfield that had no Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo, the Englishman stepped up to fill their void alongside club captain Reece James.

At times in the first half, the former Leicester City man looked the only player who was capable of finding the net. He saw a superb effort saved well by the opposition goalkeeper late in the first 45.

The performance comes off another impressive display against Brentford, with the midfielder showing he has plenty to offer that Chelsea fans may well have not seen yet

Opportunities have been few and far between for Dewsbury-Hall to make an impact this season, however he is showing he can make an impact at a time his side needs one the most.

Maresca a huge fan of Dewsbury-Hall

Given the fact he worked with him at former side Leicester, it is reasonable to believe that Maresca played a big part in Dewsbury-Hall moving to the club.

Despite rarely featuring him this season, Maresca has frequently praised Dewsbury-Hall for the impact he has had since joining.

While Caicedo and Fernandez will have crucial roles to play from now until the end of the campaign, having someone who is readily available to deputise for the Blues could be essential, and Dewsbury-Hall is firmly putting himself in that role.