20-year-old Chelsea midfielder has real chance of playing in Conference League quarter-final after training with Enzo Maresca

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Chelsea are set to make the short trip across Poland in order to take part in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final.

The Blues will face Legia Warsaw as Enzo Maresca faces another conundrum over how strong a side he should name with crucial Premier League games coming thick and fast.

Frequently the European games have been used to give opportunities to a number of fringe players and academy stars to make their mark on the first team.

Shumaira Mheuka broke the record for youngest Chelsea starter in European history when he was named in the starting side to take on Copenhagen in the previous round.

While he struggled to make an impact that day, Mheuka missed the recent U21s game, suggesting he is being kept back to be part of the travelling squad to Poland.

Samuel Rak-Sakyi trains before Chelsea’s Conference League quarter-final

The striker was seen as part of the group training under Maresca in the final session before making the trip, with 20-year-old Samuel Rak-Sakyi also present.

The youngster has been a part of Conference League action already this season, starting in the infamous game in freezing conditions against Astana where the majority of the first team were left at home.

Rak-Sakyi impressed greatly with his passing on that outing, and is in contention to feature again if the boss decides to hand out opportunities to promising youngsters this week.

Enzo Maresca a huge fan of Sam Rak-Sakyi

Perhaps unsuprisingly given the promise he has shown already in his career, Rak-Sakyi was being touted for a loan move in January in order to get him regular first team minutes.

Coventry City and Frank Lampard were reportedly keen on launching a move for the midfielder, with the club no doubt aware of the impact the club legend has had on loanees in the past.

However, Maresca’s admiration of Rak-Sakyi played a part at him staying at the club, even though they also added Mathis Amougou to their ranks on deadline day.

A move at the end of the season on loan is more likely, when the Blues add Dario Essugo and Andrey Santos to their midfield ranks in the first team squad.