Astana v Chelsea LIVE: Conference League team news and line-ups with Blues starlet poised for full debut | OneFootball

Josh Acheampong of Chelsea during the UEFA Conference League training session (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea travel to Kazakhstan in the Conference League to play Astana in a gruelling midweek trip.

The Blues have taken a young squad with many highly-rated talents set for a debut in the freezing conditions of Almaty.

Enzo Maresca will hope to maintain the good form following a thrilling comeback victory at Tottenham on Sunday, with Cole Palmer thriving, before turning attention back to league matters and a Sunday evening kick-off against Brentford.

Chelsea are top of the Conference League, level with Legia Warszawa, with just two games remaining against Astana and Shamrock Rovers back at Stamford Bridge on 19 December.

Follow all the latest build-up to the early kick-off in the Conference League in our live blog below:

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Astana v Chelsea - Conference League 2024/25

Will Mudryk impress?

Mykhailo Mudryk has hit three goals and matched that with assists in the Conference League this term, but he was ill at the weekend and missed the win over Tottenham.

(Action Images via Reuters)

Mike Jones12 December 2024 14:04

Chelsea’s consistency

Chelsea have started six players in every Conference League game with those being: Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Renato Veiga, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku.

The latter has scored in each of his starts in this competition (7 goals, 2 assists).

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:58

Jadon Sancho is turning into one of the signings of the season under Enzo Maresca’s care at Chelsea

Derby day provided a timely reminder of a certain talent that resides within Chelsea’s attacking ranks.

An occasion that always promises its fair share of thrills and spills, the Blues showcased their powers of recovery to overcome a two-goal deficit and come out 4-3 victors away to fierce London rivals Tottenham.

As “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again” rang out from the away end, Enzo Maresca revelled in his biggest win yet as Chelsea boss, which propelled his side to second in the league and extended their unbeaten run to eight in all competitions.

Jadon Sancho is turning into one of the signings of the season under Enzo Maresca

Sancho was at the heart of a remarkable Chelsea comeback that extended their unbeaten run to eight

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:52

Chelsea hoping to keep 100% record intact

Chelsea hope to keep their 100 per cent record in the Conference League phase intact.

Legia Warsaw are the only other team to have won four from four and a victory over Astana secure a place in the Round of 16 for the Blues.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:40

An eight-hour flight for Chelsea

According to club historians, never before have Chelsea travelled so far to play in a European competition.

An eight-hour direct flight from London, the fixture is 1,000 miles further east than Baku, where they triumphed in a resounding 2019 Europa League final victory over Arsenal.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:28

Will Acheampong make his full Chelsea debut?

“Probably, yes,” said Enzo Maresca when asked if he intends to hand out any debuts to younger players in Kazakhstan.

“He’s in the squad, probably he’ll play from the start. With Josh, it’s clear, we all love Josh. The club loves Josh, I love Josh, we are trying to find an agreement with the player, we are close, we are almost there. We’ll see.”

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:22

Chelsea’s long-trip

Chelsea’s penultimate match of the Uefa Conference League league phase requires a 7,000-mile round-trip to Almaty, where the Blues aim to end Astana’s 13-game unbeaten home run in all competitions.

Mike Jones12 December 2024 13:16

Enzo Maresca confirms full debut for Chelsea starlet after breakthrough in contract talks

Enzo Maresca is ready to hand a full debut to Chelsea starlet Josh Acheampong after revealing progress in contract talks between the player and the club.

The 18-year-old is one of the most highly-rated talents coming out of the Cobham, though the defender has played just once this season amid uncertainty over his future.

Mike Jones