Forgotten Chelsea ace plays first game in two years as early Enzo Maresca squad decision made

Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli made his first competitive appearance for over two years as he started an Under-21s match at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday night. It is only the third time he has played a registered match for the club since joining in July 2021.

Bettinelli, 32, was a surprise inclusion on the teamsheet for Filipe Coelho's side in the Premier League International Cup as the young Blues came out 2-1 winners against Real Sociedad. First half goals from Harvey Vale and £17million summer 2023 signing Deivid Washington helped Chelsea on their way to a positive result at home.

Despite naming an exciting XI that included 17-year-old Shumaira Mheuka, Bettinelli's name stoodout when the selection was released prior to the game. It is the second time Bettinelli has played for the Chelsea academy despite his age, meaning that he has now featured more alongside Cobham's finest than the senior team.

His only Chelsea first team match remains in January 2022 as he played the full 90 minutes of an FA Cup third round tie against League Two outfit Chesterfield Town. Bettinelli conceded once in a 5-1 thrashing under Thomas Tuchel.

Signed to be the third-choice 'keeper, occupying a spot previously held by Rob Green, Bettinelli's role has effectively been to act as a useful body in training, a positive influence on those at the Surrey-based campus, and to deputise in emergencies. With Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen ahead of him now under Enzo Maresca, Bettinelli has not been used this season in any form.

He was taken on pre-season to America but did not play a single minute. Lucas Bergstrom, 22, an academy graduate, did get the nod for just over a half in the States.

Bettinelli was named on the bench by Maresca or Saturday's 2-1 win over Leicester. It left Chelsea with two backup goalkeepers. However, his inclusion in midweek suggests that there will be no such need on Thursday.

Chelsea travel to Germany ahead of their fourth Conference League group phase match of the season. They take on Heidenheim and may well be without Bettinelli given his involvement with the Under-21s. He was named on the bench for the first two Conference League matches against Gent and Panathinaikos.

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