Sancho replaces Palmer – Chelsea has the ideal squad for the Conference League

Stamford Bridge’s home team has many options for their squad with a large roster.

Two months after announcing the 29-player squad for the pre-season tour in the USA, Chelsea has also submitted the squad list for the UEFA Conference League. Now, Enzo Maresca cannot change the lineup until after the knockout rounds, should his team reach that stage.

As a result, the Italian strategist will be without the services of Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia for the six matches in this competition.

Both Fofana and Lavia have spent considerable time sidelined over the past two years, while Palmer withdrew from the England national team during the recent international break.

Thus, Maresca will have several options in attack such as Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto, along with Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, and Marc Guiu.

Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, and academy talent Tyrique George will be other options for the attack. Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei can take on the playmaker role.

Reece James, who could not participate due to a suspension in the Premier League and also missed the Conference League play-off against Servette due to injury, is expected to return. However, names like Ben Chilwell, Deivid Washington, David Datro Fofana, and Marcus Bettinelli will not have the opportunity to feature.

With a quality and deep squad, Maresca’s team is considered a favorite to win the Conference League.

In fact, the Chelsea coach has clearly divided the stars playing domestically and in Europe.

Among his choices, there are five players who appear in the Conference League but are not given many opportunities in the Premier League.

Specifically, Dewsbury-Hall, Guiu, and Renato Veiga have only played around 45 minutes in the Premier League but have started both Conference League matches.

Based on the current situation, Maresca may make the following choices:

Filip Jorgensen will likely be the choice for the goal, with Robert Sanchez given opportunities in domestic competitions. The Conference League could be a place for this new signing to prove himself.

The defensive quartet includes Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile anchoring the central defense while Renato Veiga plays left-back. The midfield has less room for changes, especially without Lavia. Dewsbury-Hall might feature, but if Maresca wants to attack more, he might bring in Christopher Nkunku to take on the midfielder role to connect the play.

Meanwhile, Cesare Casadei and Chukwuemeka could support the pair Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo when needed.

In attack, Neto or Sancho are likely to take the right-forward position, Mudryk on the opposite wing, and Marc Guiu as the central striker.

Additionally, Joao Felix and Nkunku are also considered reliable options.

Chelsea’s strongest squad in the Conference League (Football London): Jorgensen; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Nkunku; Madueke, Jackson, Sancho.

Chelsea’s projected Conference League lineup: Jorgensen; Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Guiu, Sancho.