Enzo Maresca will ring in the changes when Chelsea and Djurgardens IF face off at 3Arena in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg on Thursday.

Chelsea will aim to inch closer to a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League final when they lock horns with Djurgardens IF at 3Arena in the semi-final first leg on Thursday night. Enzo Maresca has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Robert Sanchez and Christopher Nkunku are the latest absentees, with the duo recovering from minor knocks that have forced Maresca to exclude them from the travelling squad to take on Djurgardens IF. The pair has joined Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman, and Marc Guiu on the sidelines.

In addition, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a provisional suspension after failing a doping test last year. Furthermore, Romeo Lavia is not in the UEFA Europa Conference League squad. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca provided a fitness update on Sanchez and Nkunku, explaining the duo’s absence from the travelling group to take on Djurgardens IF.

The Chelsea manager said, “Robert has a small problem after a knock against Everton and Christo had something similar in our session. It has just happened so we will have more news probably on Friday when we are back.”

Nkunku’s absence through a knock has forced him to miss a golden opportunity to represent Chelsea in the final third this week. So, Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Jadon Sancho and the impressive Tyrique George lining up alongside him in the final third. Nicolas Jackson will lead the line for the away side against Djurgardens IF on Thursday.

As for the midfield unit, Maresca will rotate his troops, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez getting some much-needed rest. So, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will make a rare start, lining up alongside Chelsea captain Reece James in the double pivot.

Finally, Filip Jorgensen will replace the injured Robert Sanchez between the sticks, with the away side lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Djurgardens IF. The backline should feature Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson