The imminent clash between Chelsea and Astana promises to be captivating, with decisive stakes for the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference. Chelsea’s travel plans reveal strategic adjustments, notably the choice of the home stadium in Almaty, due to renovations at the Astana site. Furthermore, UEFA’s exceptional authorization for an early press conference demonstrates the meticulous preparation orchestrated by the London team. Chelsea faces a long and complex journey while ensuring the physical integrity of its players against the icy Kazakh conditions.
| Quick Info |
| Chelsea is traveling to Kazakhstan to face FC Astana in the Europa Conference League. |
| The match will be held at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadion due to renovation work on their stadium. |
| Enzo Maresca has a selection dilemma before the trip. |
| Players like Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana will not be traveling. |
| After a recent 4-3 victory against Tottenham, a squad rotation is planned. |
| 11 young players are called up to the squad for the match. |
| The journey will be by a direct eight-hour flight, with no time zone adjustment. |
| A press conference is scheduled in Cobham before departure. |
Chelsea’s travels to Almaty #
Chelsea’s travel plans for their Europa Conference League match against FC Astana have recently been confirmed. The Blues, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, will fly to Kazakhstan this Thursday. They will play at the Central Stadium of Almaty, as Astana’s usual stadium is undergoing renovations.
Team quality and player rotation #
With a potentially secured qualification for the last 16 of the competition, Chelsea has won all of its group stage matches so far. The team has outclassed opponents such as KAA Gent, Panathinaikos, FC Noah, and 1. FC Heidenheim. On the eve of this journey, Maresca faces tactical choices regarding the squad sent to Almaty, as the weather conditions are expected to be harsh.
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Notable absences #
Several players will not participate in the trip. Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana will not be in the ranks due to injury. Consequently, Maresca has opted for frequent rotation of the squad for European matches. This strategy may be repeated after an intense Premier League match against Tottenham, where Chelsea secured a thrilling 4-3 victory.
A list of young prospects #
For this match, the coach has decided to include a considerable number of young players in his selection list. According to the Daily Mail, talents such as Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, and Tyrique George will be involved. This approach aims to give young talents a chance to gain experience on the European stage.
Travel preparations and logistics #
Chelsea has received exceptional authorization from UEFA to hold an early press conference at their Cobham facilities on Wednesday morning. This will allow Maresca to manage logistical preparations ahead of departure. The group will depart on a direct eight-hour flight, avoiding time zone differences with Kazakhstan, which is five hours ahead of the UK.
Player welfare #
Teams must focus on integrating new players into a cohesive setup. Benoît Badiashile has expressed uncertainty about his selection, leaving the final decision to Maresca for this challenging match. The aim of this group management is to preserve the physical condition of the players, especially with the upcoming Premier League clash against Brentford in mind.
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