Chelsea team news vs FC Copenhagen and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Chelsea resume their quest for Europa Conference League glory when they travel to face FC Copenhagen in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Thursday, currently 2-1 up on aggregate

The game at Stamford Bridge kicks off at 8pm and will be shown on TNT Sports 4.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs FC Copenhagen

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Palmer, George; Mheuka.

Chelsea team news vs FC Copenhagen

Chelsea will remain without the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Marc Guiu through injury. Malo Gusto also joins them on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, which saw him miss the Leicester City clash at the weekend.

In other news, Cole Palmer, Reece James and Christopher Nkunku all missed Tuesday’s training session with “some problems”, but all took part on Wednesday. Enzo Maresca stated: “we will see tomorrow if we use all of them.”

Maresca will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk, who is still sidelined due to suspension, which could see the likes of Tyrique George and Shumaira Mheuka starting in the forward line again, especially considering the likes of Palmer and Nkunku are being monitored ahead of the game.

Tyrique George & Shumaira Mheuka starts

Both Tyrique George and Shumaira Mheuka started the away leg against FC Copenhagen, being given a chance to show what they’re made of on the big stage. George in particular has grabbed that opportunitywith both hands.

The 19-year-old winger started on the right against FC Copenhagen, before being moved into the striker position in the second half. While George’s best position is coming in off the left-wing, cutting inside on his stronger right-foot, he has shown how useful he can be in a variety of positions.

George provided an assist while playing through the middle against Copenhagen, setting up Enzo Fernandez to make it 0-2 in the second half against the Danish side. The forward completed 18 of his 19 passes in the match, created one chance and won three of his five ground duels.

While Maresca has stated his full attention is on the FC Copenhagen game, he will certainly have one eye on Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal, as the Blues chase their top four aspirations to return to the Champions League next season.

This could see rotation in the forward areas, in order to rest Pedro Neto who has been crucial for Maresca playing in a new centre-forward role in recent weeks, in the absence of Jackson and Guiu. Mheuka is the natural striker replacement, and could be given another chance to lead the line in the Conference League this week.

With the 17-year-old leading the line and George most probably lining up on the right-wing again, allowing Jadon Sancho to play in his preferred left-wing position, it would mean Maresca only has to play one of Palmer or Nkunku in the No.10, allowing the other to be rested for the weekend.