Mykhailo Mudryk during Chelsea training ahead of Gent(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Full Chelsea squad for Gent as Enzo Maresca reveals forgotten star's new role

Enzo Maresca will be hoping to extend his brilliant unbeaten streak when Chelsea lock horns with Gent

03 Oct 2024, 04:00 by Jake Stokes · football.london

Enzo Maresca has a wealth of options at his disposal for Chelsea's clash against Gent. The Blues will face the Belgian outfit at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening as both sides look to get off to a winning start in the UEFA Conference League.

Chelsea head into the tie following a 4-2 win against Brighton in the Premier League at the weekend. Since losing to Servette at the end of August, the West Londoners have enjoyed a five-game unbeaten streak, winning four and drawing just once.

As for Gent, they'll be keen to burst Chelsea's bubble. Nevertheless, speaking to reporters ahead of the encounter, Maresca confirmed that he has every player – except those who aren't registered – available for selection, apart from Reece James, who's still nursing an injury.

"We try to share minutes with all of them," said the Blues boss. "In this moment, it probably looks like we have players that are playing in the Premier League and players that are playing in the cups, Conference [League], Carabao [Cup] or FA Cup.

"But it is not like this, it is just because in this moment it is like this but in general, it will not be like this. We try to give them the opportunity. Last week against Barrow, I think they all did a very good game and hopefully tomorrow can do the same."

Then, on Cesare Casadei, whose only appearance this season has come against Barrow in the FA Cup, Maresca provided an intriguing update. The former Leicester City boss said: "I think Cesare did very well in that game [vs Barrow]. He struggled at the beginning but in the end he finished very well. We can see Cesare there again, for sure, no doubt.

"I think he can help us with physicality, off the ball, on the ball understanding how he has to move, he can give us good things. I was happy the other day and for sure we are going to see him in that position."

Maresca added: "Cesare is more box-to-box; he likes to attack, arrive in the box. I had Cesare last year at Leicester so I worked with him for many, many months. But he can also do the other part and give balance to the team; stay in that position, do not move from there, help your team in the build-up, help your team defend. I think he can do that."

Full Chelsea squad for the Conference League

Player list A

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom.

Defenders: Axel Disasi, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James (out due to injury), Malo Gust, Renato Veiga.

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei.

Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Marc Guiu.

Player list B*

Goalkeeper: Max Merrick.

Defenders: Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong.

Midfielders: Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon.

Forward: Tyrique George.

*As quoted by the official club website: "Clubs can register an unlimited number on Player List B so long as they are born on or after January 1 2003 and are eligible. To be eligible, the player needs to have been born on or after 1 January 2003 and since his 15th birthday has been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years, or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year."

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