Chelsea finished yesterday’s win over Shamrock Rovers with five academy graduates on the pitch, including Harrison Murray-Campbell for his first-team debut.
Chelsea wrapped up the group phase of the Conference League on Thursday night with a comprehensive 5-1 victory at home to Shamrock Rovers, which means they’ve won six out of six in Europe to qualify automatically for the Round of 16.
Blues manager Enzo Maresca has used the European competition so wisely in the first half of the season. There have been valuable minutes for the squad’s fringe players in the Conference League, plus plenty of youngsters from the Chelsea academy have been called into the side.
Harrison Murray-Campbell, who’s just 18, entered the action as a second-half substitute for Chelsea versus Shamrock Rovers.
The teenage defender replaced Axel Disasi on the hour mark for his first experience of senior football.
Enzo Maresca reacts to Harrison Murray-Campbell on Chelsea debut
Maresca praised Chelsea prospect Murray-Campbell after his senior debut in midweek.
The English youngster has mainly been playing as a centre-half for the club’s Under-21s side this season, but he filled in at right-back against Shamrock Rovers.
When asked about Chelsea’s Murray-Campbell, Maresca said via Football.London: “When you play the first game, it’s never easy, so he did quite well. We have seen that he’s good on the ball, he’s also good defending, and I think he could deserve the chance to get minutes tonight, and he was OK.”
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is a big admirer of the academy. Also, the signs this season suggest that Maresca is willing to lean on the club’s rising stars.
Murray-Campbell will be boosted by his first taste of first-team football, so he should now return to the U21s with an extra spring in his step.
Here is a look at the defender’s statistics versus Shamrock Rovers via FOTMOB:
- Minutes played – 31
- Match rating – 6.5
- Touches – 44
- Accurate passes – 32/39 (82%)
- Tackles won – 1/1 (100%)
- Clearances – 1
- Dribbled past – 1
- Recoveries – 3
- Duels won – 1
- Duels lost – 1
Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George to inspire Chelsea youngsters
Chelsea duo Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George started the season as regulars in the U21s team, but they’ve been welcomed into the Blues dressing room this week as full first-team stars. As a result, the academy talents should look at them for big inspiration thinking they could be next.
Chelsea think Acheampong is ready to play in the Premier League after his eye-catching European display in midweek. The versatile defender certainly offers a great option, especially because of Reece James’ injury problems.
As for George, the skilful winger is now competing alongside some high-profile names for minutes.
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