Chelsea include 17-year-old who has never featured before in squad for Conference League game tonight

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A number of key Chelsea names have been left behind in England ahead of tonight’s Conference League game against Panathinaikos.

After dropping the likes of Cole Palmer from the squad for the group stages altogether, the likes of Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto haven’t gone with Chelsea to Greece.

The opportunity is there for some of the fringe players at the club to make a difference for the Blues, proving their worth to Enzo Maresca in the process.

Tyrique George trained with the first team this week, meanwhile an opportunity has cropped up for teenager Shumaira Mheuka to be involved for the very first time.

Chelsea include Shim Mheuka in first team squad

Just days after he turned 17, Chelsea have confirmed he is part of the travelling squad for the clash with the Greek giants.

Chelsea fans have been impressed by Mheuka already, with him featuring many years above his age at the academy level.

It was claimed by an expert that Mheuka is already ready to handle first team football, and it looks as if that theory is about to be put to the test.

Mheuka’s impressive stats at U18 level

The striker has regularly found the net playing a level above for both club and country. His stats speak for themselves.

With Nicolas Jackson not making the trip to Greece, there has perhaps never been a better time for a young striker to make their mark on the side.

He will have to contend with the likes of Christopher Nkunku for a place up front. The Frenchman will almost certainly start tonight.

He continues to put pressure on the manager to feature him more regularly in the Premier League, and his goal record in all competitions speaks for itself right now.

If the opportunity arises though, it could be a brilliant moment for the academy at the club to see Mheuka make his first appearance for the first team.