Filip Jorgensen will replace Robert Sanchez in a much-changed Chelsea side against KAA Gent in the UEFA Europa Conference League tie at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Chelsea will aim to start the UEFA Europa Conference League campaign on a high when they welcome KAA Gent to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. And Enzo Maresca does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Reece James is the only absentee, with the club captain still recovering from a hamstring injury. However, a few regulars are also unavailable to take on KAA Gent, with Maresca omitting Wesley Fofana and Cole Palmer from the squad for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, the Italian tactician discussed Palmer’s absence during his pre-match press conference. He said, “We already played some games without Cole. For sure, for us or any team in the world, Cole gives you an extra that you need. Also, we need to think a little bit that we need to protect some players, they need that. It’s not that we decided to protect Fofana, Lavia or Cole for no reason, there is a reason behind it. I think Cole needs to be protected a little bit.”
The Chelsea manager also provided a team news update during his press conference. He said, “They are all available unless they have been left out of the [Conference League] squad, plus Reece [James] is not available. We try to share minutes with all of them. In this moment, it looks like we have players playing in the Premier League and in the cup competitions, but it is not like this. In this moment it is like this but in general, it won’t be like this.”
Maresca will ring in the changes on Thursday, with Filip Jorgensen replacing Robert Sanchez between the sticks. The home side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against KAA Gent. The backline should feature Josh Acheampong, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Renato Veiga.
As for the midfield unit, Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will pick up some much-needed game time, while Joao Felix will reprise the no. 10 role. Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk will start as the two wide attackers, with Christopher Nkunku leading the line for the West London outfit against KAA Gent. So, Marc Guiu will be an option on the bench for the hosts.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Badiashile, Renato Veiga; Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall; Mudryk, Joao Felix, Neto; Nkunku