Chelsea can reach the Conference League quarter-finals on Thursday night if they can overcome Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge in the second-leg of their round of 16 tie.
The Blues edged past the Danes last week thanks to goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez at the Parken Stadium. Although a late goal from Gabriel Pereira ensured Copenhagen were still well and truly in the tie going into this week’s clash in west London.
With Leicester City coming to Stamford Bridge less than 72 hours after Chelsea’s match in Scandinavia, Enzo Maresca unsurprisingly made seven changes to his team for the Premier League match. The Blues managed to come through that with three points and will be hoping for something similar this week with the Copenhagen tie less than three days before a trip to Arsenal in the top-flight.
So, once again, we could see several changes from Maresca. With that being said, Bobby Vincent and Tom Coley share what they would do if they were in the Italian’s shoes on Thursday night.
I suspect – and hope – Filip Jorgensen returns in goal on Thursday night. It looks like Robert Sanchez is the No.1 goalkeeper again under Maresca, which would seemingly mean Jorgensen starts against Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge.
Josh Acheampong deserves a place in the side. The 18-year-old defender has not started since January 14 and needs the minutes. Him at right-back, with Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile in the centre of defence and Malo Gusto – if he is fit enough – completing the back four for the hosts.
James was ill at the weekend and even if the Chelsea captain is well enough, Maresca may be tempted to use him against Arsenal instead. The goal from Copenhagen last Thursday means the tie is in the balance still, so I think Chelsea need to go strong in midfield which is why Fernandez and Moises Caicedo should start in the double pivot.
Tyrique George on the right wing with Cole Palmer in the No.10 and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the left-hand side as he looks to make an impression on the fans and Maresca. For George, he has been one of the Blues’ most effective attacking players recently but you feel as if he could do with a goal – which would be his first for the club – to really lay down a marker.
Christopher Nkunku has been used as the No.10 in recent games but has failed to impress despite Maresca insisting that is his natural position. I would personally take Shim Mheuka, who started last Thursday, out of the spotlight in such a big game and replace him with Nkunku, who needs to start showing more. And that begins on Thursday.
Chelsea will have to go stronger than Maresca would have liked due to that Copenhagen goal. It will be interesting to see what happens in goal, though. Sanchez starts for me because he needs to keep his place as the cup/backup goalkeeper and this would allow Jorgensen to go back in against Arsenal. Sanchez should not be playing Premier League matches right now.
At right-back there are a few options. James could return but he should be saved for the weekend and it’s not clear if he’s ready to play twice in a matter of days yet. Hopefully Gusto is fit to return so that Acheampong can get another start at centre-back, he needs the minutes.
Colwill plays here over Badiashile to add some solidity to the backline with Marc Cucurella on the left. It is more likely that Tosin Adarabioyo and Badiashile or Colwill feature, Gusto could even be moved to the opposite side if James or Chalobah are back.
In midfield and the Caicedo-Fernandez axis is split up for a half each here. Dewsbury-Hall returns for his weekly runout with Nkunku in the hole ahead of them. Palmer drops out after feeling unwell at the weekend and he could do with some time off.
If he isn’t fully fit after having problems over the weekend then it would be nice to see Sam Rak-Sakyi or Kiano Dyer get the nod in the squad as well. Neither Jadon Sancho or Nkunku are in great form so George keeps his place on the wing from the first leg.
After 45 minutes in Denmark, being at home is another chance to try Mheuka from the start and that allows Pedro Neto a rest. Due to Palmer being out, Sancho and George can switch wings as they please with Nkunku behind Mheuka for extra goal scoring intent.
