Shumaira Mheuka sets 24-year Chelsea record in Conference League win vs Copenhagen, Callum Hudson-Odoi came close

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Enzo Maresca seemed to take his squad selection far more serious as the knockout stages rolled around for the Conference League.

A perfect group stage saw his side very rarely need to get out of second gear, but the trip to Copenhagen saw first appearances in the competition for Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Reece James.

As James stole the show, there was still a place for some of the younger talents at Stamford Bridge to make their mark, with one of them being Shumaira Mheuka.

The academy graduate has enjoyed a fine season with the youth sides, however has recently stepped up for first team duties.

• READ MORE: Reece James continues to star in new role and clever substitution – three things Enzo Maresca got right in Chelsea’s Conference League win

Shumaira Mheuka becomes youngest Chelsea starter in Europe

He recently made his Premier League debut against Southampton, where Mheuka was denied a league record for the quickest goal from a player on their first appearance with his first touch.

Maresca was clearly impressed enough to look to the 17-year-old to start in the face of a striker injury crisis involving Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.

In doing so, the youngster made a bit of Chelsea history in the process. According to journalist Kieran Gill, Mheuka became the youngest player ever to start in Europe for the Blues.

Mheuka will always remember his first start for the club, however he will likely want to put the actual performance out of his mind.

It was a very quiet 45 minutes for the Englishman before he was replaced at half-time, when Chelsea started to pull away from their opponents.

Chelsea first team players a huge fan of Mheuka

With Mheuka now being somewhat of a regular in first team training, it has not taken long for his teammates to notice the quality he possesses.

Romeo Lavia praised Mheuka as someone who has the potential to be great, while Josh Acheampong thinks he will be the next youngster to break into the first team regularly.

With another Conference League game a week away, there could be another chance for the youngster to show Chelsea fans what he is all about at the top level.