Astana 1-3 Chelsea

[NikkiCFC 8,326]

Yes I also expect this team with maybe Dyer starting in MF. Wonder if Nkunku is annoyed he has to do this trip. Mudryk still ill?

Edited December 11, 2024 by NikkiCFC

[ulvhedin 526]

Just now, NikkiCFC said:

Yes I also expect this team with maybe Dyer starting in MF. Wonder if Nkunku is annoyed he has to do this trip. 

Rumors are Dyer and Mheuka will play for u18 on friday as it's important cup game.

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

Pretty sure that anyone who makes this trip will not be involved vs Brentford. Perhaps a late sub.

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

I would feel something in my hamstring too!😂

 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

Nkunku not in the squad.

 

[Vesper 30,195]

2 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

this must be the longest in-season round trip Chels has had since the 2012 FWCC in Tokyo (GRRRRR) and that fucking shit American friendly match in May 2019, where RLC destroyed his achilles

 

on edit the Boston match was not as far away as this one

Edited December 11, 2024 by Vesper

[NikkiCFC 8,326]

8 hours ago, ulvhedin said:

Rumors are Dyer and Mheuka will play for u18 on friday as it's important cup game.

Both traveled. 

[Mário César 1,278]

I think we are having a lot of talk about Chelsea fighting for the title and I'm afraid that this will create too many expectations for the players and that it will have a bad effect on the team. It's better to stay calm and focused and humble

[Vesper 30,195]

19 hours ago, mkh said:

Enzo Maresca on Acheampong: "He's in the squad and is probably going to play from the start. With Josh, it's quite clear, we all love Josh, the club love Josh and I love Josh. We are trying to find an agreement with the player. It's close, we are almost there."✅️

@BobbyVincentFL

🔵🏋‍♂️🔥

Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong close to signing new contract – Enzo Maresca

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5986239/2024/12/11/Chelsea-josh-acheampong-contract/

Enzo Maresca has confirmed Chelsea academy graduate Josh Acheampong is close to signing a new contract and is set start his first senior game for the club against Astana tomorrow night.

The Athletic exclusively reported in October that the 18-year-old had been frozen out of all Chelsea teams because negotiations over a new deal had broken down.

But there have been increasing signs of a reconciliation in recent weeks as Acheampong trained with the senior squad ahead of their Conference League match at Heidenheim a fortnight ago. The defender also played for the Under-21 side for the first time in two months when he came on as a substitute against Derby County on November 29.

Acheampong’s contract runs out in 2026 but Maresca believes an extension is nearly finalised. He said: “With Josh it is all quite clear. We all love Josh, the club loves Josh, I love Josh and we are trying to find an agreement. We are close, we are almost there. We’ll see.”

GO DEEPER

Do Chelsea need to upgrade in the transfer market to become title contenders?

A further indication of the teenager’s improved situation is he is in line to face Astana in Chelsea’s UEFA Conference match in Kazakhstan. Maresca added: “He is in the squad and is probably going to play from the start.”

Maresca also confirmed a number of senior players will be left behind so they can concentrate on preparing for the Premier League fixture at home to Brentford on Sunday.

One of the players who is remaining at Cobham is winger Noni Madueke, who is expected to start at the weekend due to Pedro Neto being suspended.

GO DEEPER

Chelsea squad audit: Analysing the 33-player group and their roles under Enzo Maresca

[Reddish-Blue 2,509]

11 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

Nkunku not in the squad.

 

Looking at the midfield and attack for this game, it's like we're playing a pre-season friendly 😆 (with the exception of Neto). 

[KEVINAA 129]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Astana

FC ASTANA was founded in 2009 and they are so irrelevant that 11v11.com don't even have them listed on head to head matches.

They don't even have a profile for them on there

Edited December 12, 2024 by KEVINAA

[IMissEden 21]

12 hours ago, Mário César said:

I think we are having a lot of talk about Chelsea fighting for the title and I'm afraid that this will create too many expectations for the players and that it will have a bad effect on the team. It's better to stay calm and focused and humble

I think most of them joined, expecting to be competing for the title. I don’t think anybody truly expected to fall off as badly as happened with the change in ownership. These players want titles, the key ones. Relief in being seen as those guys, I think, vs the stress of being seen as bums. Under radar isn’t good for lots of types who excel 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

2 hours ago, Reddish-Blue said:

Looking at the midfield and attack for this game, it's like we're playing a pre-season friendly 😆 (with the exception of Neto). 

I think Neto will be Break In Case Of Emergency, while bundled in a sub zero full length jacket.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

This expendables approach is sensible. No need to risk senior players for what is basically rubber in an icebox. Pedro Neto probably only had to make the trip bc of mudryk and Felix absences. Hope he doesn’t pick up an injury 

Tbh, I have never ran around in shorts on AstroTurf at -27 C . How does this work for ppl unaccustomed? Will they get special thermal undergarments ? 

Usually, matches are not played when it’s over 40 C on the ground in a stadium. Now this provisionary Almaty ground is not heated. Isn’t there a significant freezing health risk beside injury comparable to overheat?  

[NikkiCFC 8,326]

27 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

I think Neto will be Break In Case Of Emergency, while bundled in a sub zero full length jacket.

 

26 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

This expendables approach is sensible. No need to risk senior players for what is basically rubber in an icebox. Pedro Neto probably only had to make the trip bc of mudryk and Felix absences. Hope he doesn’t pick up an injury 

Tbh, I have never ran around in shorts on AstroTurf at -27 C . How does this work for ppl unaccustomed? Will they get special thermal undergarments ? 

Usually, matches are not played when it’s over 40 C on the ground in a stadium. Now this provisionary Almaty ground is not heated. Isn’t there a significant freezing health risk beside injury comparable to overheat?  

Neto is suspended for next PL game. That's why he is here. 

Temperature for the game is around -10.

[Vytis33 1,272]

Yeah Neto gotta be kicking himself right now could be sitting in London.  That yellow against Spurs was right before being subbed too 

[NikkiCFC 8,326]

 

[zinctek 469]

9 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

LOL not many first or second team wanted to go here :) -18! i mean the country is lovely my mate goes on holiday there but -18! sod that!

[NikkiCFC 8,326]

It's nothing new we use different team in Conference League. 9 of the starting players were involved in last game in Germany. Casadei (red card) and Mudryk (ill) would be as well if available. Last time it was Sancho starting now Neto so that's it.