Key Chelsea star hints he’s desperate to play vs Djurgarden, it would be just his third Conference League game

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Chelsea face Swedish club Djurgarden on Thursday night in a European semi-final clash, and one key Blues player has hinted he’s super keen to feature.

The Blues have reached the semi-finals of the Conference Leauge without hitting top gear yet.

Chelsea are about to face Djurgarden in the first leg before the return tie a week later at Stamford Bridge.

Djurgarden do play on an artificial pitch, which is something that their own players complain about. Therefore, it may be something to factor into the midweek clash.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca handed big boost as £30m Chelsea player set to return for Conference League semi-final

Moises Caicedo hints he’s desperate to play vs Djurgarden

Chelsea star Moises Caicedo, 23, hasn’t been a regular in Europe so far this season because he’s been kept on ice for the Premier League, where he’s started every single top-flight match. As for the Conference League, the key midfielder has only made two appearances, excluding the qualifiers, starting both last-16 ties against Copenhagen in March.

Ahead of the Blues’ first leg versus Djurgarden, Caicedo has shared how important the Conference League trophy is to him.

He’s certainly hinted that he’s ready to play Thursday’s upcoming clash because he’s “champing at the bit” for the away leg.

Caicedo said via Chelsea’s official website: “We know that every game is tough, so we will head into it with the mentality that the opposition will be very tough, but with the desire we have of wanting to win the game.

“We will do everything in this game, everything. We know that they will be very tough opposition, especially at their ground. So, we have to do things well, play our game, and I’m sure we’ll be able to bring home a win.

“Winning the Conference League would mean a lot to me… I’m champing at the bit for the game to get going because it would be my first international title.”

Caicedo is included in Chelsea’s predicted line-up against Djurgarden. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how strong the XI looks, especially because the Blues host Liverpool in the league just a few days later.

All eyes are on head coach Enzo Maresca to see how he navigates the final month of the season, as his team are still competing for both the Conference League and a place in the Premier League’s top five positions to qualify for the Champions League.

Moises Caicedo should swoop up at the CFC Awards

On Sunday evening, Chelsea will hold their annual end-of-season awards night.

When it comes to Chelsea Men’s Player of the Season, voted for by supporters, we’d be very surprised if Caicedo doesn’t clinch the individual prize.

The all-action central midfielder has enjoyed an incredible second campaign in West London, where he’s started to show why the club splashed out £115m to sign him from Brighton in August 2023. We consider him the team’s most consistent performer over the course of the entire season because his levels have never dipped.

Theo Walcott compared Moises Caicedo to Claude Makelele in a recent interview, which is about as kind as compliments get.