A whole host of young stars were given the chance to make their mark on Enzo Maresca when the Blues travelled to take on Astana in the Conference League.
Very few first team players even made the trip to Kazakhstan in freezing conditions, however those on display did more than enough to secure the 3-1 victory.
Pedro Neto proved his class as one of the few who did play, with him suspended for this weekend’s Premier League game against Brentford.
A number of players who have been pushing for first team minutes were handed their first starts for the club.
Chukwuemeka fails to impress for Chelsea vs Astana
One player who was starting for the first time this season was Carney Chukwuemeka, with Chelsea fans calling for him to feature more regularly this season.
Starting alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the advanced midfield roles last night, it is fair to say supporters did not see the best of the Englishman is what were very testing conditions.
Having hardly featured this season, there was clearly going to be some rust. However, Chukwuemeka did his chances of featuring more in the future no favours.
The quality in depth the Blues have in midfield has seen him be near enough a non-entity at Stamford Bridge this season, and that could spell danger for his long-term future at the club.
Chukwuemeka linked with move away from Chelsea
A number of top sides have already been linked with a move to sign Chukwuemeka should he become available.
It was claimed this week Chukwuemeka has said yes to joining AC Milan, with them being long-term admirers of the midfielder.
It is looking increasingly unlikely that the former Aston Villa man makes it at Stamford Bridge, and a move away would probably end up signalling another failure from the Blues in the transfer market in the first window under Todd Boehly.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
