Last night’s comprehensive win against Barrow in the Carabao Cup was an opportunity for Chelsea’s top players to take a rest from their strong start to the season.
Instead, Enzo Maresca was able to give a number of his squad players the chance to impress and prove they should be handed more chances.
Christopher Nkunku only added to Maresca’s selection headache with a brilliant hat-trick, as he continues to push for a place up front in the coming weeks.
Chelsea fans were wowed by Joao Felix, who was unlucky to see his free-kick go down as an own goal.
Even off the bench, a number of forgotten names were given their chance, with Maresca calling for Ben Chilwell to come on at half-time.
Carney Chukwuemeka should be given more chances
Another player who came off the bench was Carney Chukwuemeka, who was making his first appearance of any capacity for the Blues this season.
In just a short cameo, he created as many chances as anyone else who had played, and looked hungry to prove a point to his manager.
Maresca should certainly have acknowledged this, and be looking to increase his minutes as the fixtures pile up in the coming weeks.
Chukwuemeka didn’t leave in the summer
The boss hinted Chukwuemeka was about to return to his plans after not being sold over the summer, however up to now he has still not been seen in a Premier League matchday squad.
Even last night he was not able to secure himself a start, with Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall being preferred.
Something that was notable about the Italian was how much he seems to have grown since he joined Chelsea, with him now looking a towering figure in the middle of the park.
There is likely to be plenty of interest in signing the 20-year-old when the transfer window opens again, with the player running out of time to make the desired impact.
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