Heidenheim vs Chelsea – Team News: Maresca’s Fernandez decision keeps fans guessing | OneFootball

Chelsea face Heidenheim in Germany in the UEFA Europa Conference League in just under an hour, and the teams are in!

As you’d expect, the team is as rotated as possible, but with Enzo Maresca still trying to keep fringe players match fit.

That means a few interesting decisions along the way – like Enzo Fernandez not playing. That certainly hints that he will be in the team come Sunday, but we’d also not be surprised if Romeo Lavia is back in for that game from the start, and we only see Enzo in the second half.

In tonight’s team, it’s much as you’d expect – cup keeper Filip Jorgensen is back in goal. Ahead of him Axel Disasi plays out of position as a right back, and captains the team. Then in the middle of defence there’s Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Tosin Adarabioyo playing in the Conference League. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

At left back, it’s Renato Veiga, ready to invert into a midfield pivot. Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall make up a very attacking central midfield pairing, with Christopher Nkunku ahead of them.

The Frenchman hasn’t been happy with just playing this competition – but he won’t complain about the chance to bag a few more goals tonight.

Out wide, Jadon Sancho returns to make his first start since the Liverpool game at the end of October. Mykhailo Mudryk plays on the other flank, hoping to keep up his impressive form in this competition. Summer signing Marc Guiu got his first goal in this competition last time out, and will hope for more of the same tonight.

Here are the full team line-ups for Heidenheim vs Chelsea (kick off at 17:45 GMT)

CHELSEA:

All we want from today’s game is an easy win, a comfortable run out, no injuries – and maybe some minutes for youngsters like Shim Mheuka and Kiano Dyer.