Let’s talk about Enzo Maresca’s latest squad selection ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa. With injuries piling up, the Blues boss is set to turn to youth, giving a couple of Chelsea youngsters a shot at first-team action.
And let’s be honest—given Chelsea’s recent form, a little injection of fresh energy might be exactly what they need.
Chelsea Look to Bounce Back at Villa Park
Chelsea desperately needs a win after back-to-back defeats. While their overall form has been shaky, their record at Villa Park is something to hold onto.
Historically, they’ve done well there, winning 13 times in the Premier League—only doing better away at Southampton (15) and Tottenham (16). And with just four points separating the two sides in the table, this match is far from a dead rubber.
However, Maresca’s squad is looking thin. Seven key players, including Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Marc Guiu, are unavailable.
That means others will have to step up, including Christopher Nkunku, who is expected to lead the attack.
Chelsea’s Youth Given a Chance
With injuries limiting Maresca’s options, he’s turning to the academy for reinforcements. Two young talents, Kiano Dyer and Tyrique George, are set to be included in the squad for the trip to Villa Park according to The Chelsea Spot.
At just 19, George has already had a taste of first-team football, making 12 appearances under Maresca, including several in the Conference League.
And with Chelsea’s injury crisis showing no signs of easing up, Maresca is ready to lean on him even more.
Maresca’s Take on George’s Development
“For sure, he is a young one, so he is probably not ready 100 percent, but because of the amount of injuries we have,” Maresca said in his press conference.
“Ty is a young profile; he is doing well, and because in some moments we do not have different options, we need to give him chances, and hopefully, we can give him more chances, and he can help us.”
It’s a big opportunity for George and Dyer, and with Chelsea’s season still needing a spark, maybe one of these youngsters can step up and make a name for themselves.
The Blues have a strong track record of producing top talent—will one of these two be the next breakout star? We’ll find out soon enough.
