Enzo Maresca has included 12 Chelsea academy players in his travelling squad for their 7,000-mile round trip to face Astana in Kazakhstan on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League.

The Blues are firmly in control of their progression in the competition, having secured four wins from four matches in the third-tier European tournament. This fixture provides an opportunity for several young players to make their senior debuts.

The starting line-up for the match in Almaty, where temperatures are forecast to plummet to minus 11 degrees Celsius, has yet to be confirmed. However, a blend of senior players and academy talents is anticipated.

Chelsea have arrived in Kazakhstan following a 10-hour flight, with the 12 academy players joining the senior squad as the club looks to maintain its perfect record in the competition.

The academy players included in the squad are Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Ato Ampah, Max Merrick, Lucas Bergstrom, Josh Acheampong, Shumaira Mheuka, and Richard Olise – the younger brother of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise.

Senior Players and Emerging Talents

Summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is one of only two senior midfielders making the trip, as he looks to secure more starting opportunities. Pedro Neto is expected to lead the attack for Chelsea.

Eighteen-year-old Josh Acheampong is among those poised for a first senior start. The youngster’s inclusion follows positive developments in resolving a contract dispute that had previously sidelined him.

Speaking ahead of the match, Maresca praised Acheampong, stating: "We all love Josh, the club loves Josh, I love Josh, and we are trying to find an agreement. We are close; we’re almost there. He is in the squad and is probably going to play from the start."

On the possibility of debutants, Maresca added: "Probably, yes."

Dyer and Mheuka are also strong candidates for debuts, though their inclusion in the senior squad means they will miss Chelsea Under-18s' FA Youth Cup tie against Leicester City.

Notable Absentees

Senior players such as Noni Madueke remain in England to prepare for Chelsea’s Premier League match against Brentford at the weekend. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer was not included in Chelsea’s squad for the initial phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Evolution of the Squad

At the start of the competition, only five youth players – Acheampong, Dyer, George, McMahon, and Merrick – were part of Chelsea’s squad. However, UEFA rules allow clubs to add unlimited young players to their 'B list' during the competition. Chelsea have taken advantage of this, with 19-year-old Rak-Sakyi already making appearances as a substitute in their recent victories over Noah and Heidenheim.

Maresca’s faith in the academy highlights Chelsea’s commitment to integrating young talents into the first team, as they aim to balance European success with player development.