The team news for Chelsea’s game against Astana in the Conference League this afternoon is out, and there are a few interesting selections.
Sam Rak-Sakyi is in the team for a full debut, and Josh Acheampong’s freeze out seems to be over – he starts at right back. But in a way those were quite predictable – Enzo Maresca hinted heavily at appearances for both in his press conferences.
A more surprising name starting his first game of the season is Carney Chukwuemeka, a member of the “bomb squad” in the summer who the club tried and failed to get rid of. After signing from Aston Villa for €18m, the midfielder has never really been given the opportunities his talent deserve.
This is not only Chukwuemeka’s first start of the season – it’s his first start since August last year. In that fateful game against West Ham, the midfielder was given the nod from the start by Mauricio Pochettino and did really well, before suffering a serious knee injury towards the end.
It’s one of the great “sliding doors” moments in recent Chelsea history. We’re convinced that without that injury he would have stayed in the starting XI ( that seems likely given he scored a great goal earlier in the game), and from there, who knows where his Chelsea career might have gone?
Carney gets unexpected chance for what could be his final Chelsea start
Rumours have it that the club are keen to move Chukwuemeka on in January – on loan or permanently. Either way, we don’t expect to see many more appearances in Blue from the youngster. There’s interest from AC Milan, and we’re sure Premier League clubs will be sniffing around him too.
We’re just glad we get to see one more Carney start before he goes.
