Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has included two promising young stars, Shim Mheuka and Samuel Rak-Sakyi, in his squad preparations ahead of the club’s UEFA Conference League last-16 first-leg tie against F.C. Copenhagen.

The Blues travel to Denmark on Wednesday following a much-needed break, with Maresca carefully managing his squad selection. Chelsea have often rotated their team in European matches this season, allowing key players extended rest periods. With 11 days between their last game and their upcoming league game against Leicester City, many of Chelsea’s senior stars are set to benefit from the gap in fixtures.

However, the inclusion of top scorer Cole Palmer in the knockout stage squad signals that Chelsea are taking the competition seriously as they enter its latter stages. While Maresca relied on academy players in the group stage, his latest squad adjustments suggest a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent for the clash against Copenhagen.

Mheuka and Rak-Sakyi’s involvement became clear when they were left out of Chelsea’s Under-21 Premier League 2 fixture against Manchester City. Instead, the duo was spotted training with the senior team, working closely with Maresca on tactics and positioning.

Their potential inclusion in the squad presents a huge opportunity for both youngsters to impress on the European stage. As Chelsea balance squad rotation with a push for silverware, Maresca’s willingness to integrate youth highlights the club’s commitment to developing its next generation of talent.