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Chelsea youngsters must take chance to impress in Carabao Cup

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea comes on during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea comes on during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Antonio Conte has revealed that a number of youngsters could be heavily involved in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie with Bournemouth. They simply have to impress.

Chelsea square off with Bournemouth on Wednesday night in some Christmas Carabao Cup action. Despite being only two rounds away from a Wembley final, Antonio Conte is preparing to mix up his team. For the good of their careers and Chelsea’s festive form, the youngsters who step in must take their chance and power the Blues to a win.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Conte confirmed that Kenedy and Michy Batshuayi would start. Furthermore, he revealed that Callum Hudson-Odoi, Dujon Sterling and Ethan Ampadu could have a role to play.

Given that the Premier League title race is over, there is little reason to treat the Carabao Cup with the same level of disrespect as usual. Nonetheless, Conte is still prioritising a top four finish and giving his key men a night off.

In the middle of a packed Christmas schedule, the last thing Chelsea need is a loss. Hence, the fringe players and youngsters who take the field on Wednesday must step up to the plate.

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Blues youth players are rarely afforded a chance to impress in competitive football. Hudson-Odoi, Sterling and Ampadu have all shown their potential in the club’s development teams. This is their chance to tell the manager that they can be relied upon as the season wears on.

With Chelsea through to the knock-out rounds of the Champions League and looking for a deep run in the FA Cup, these squad players could receive more and more opportunities down the line. That depends, though, on them proving themselves against Bournemouth.

If the Blues lose, Conte will not trust them to deputise later on in the season. Moreover, a defeat will cause some rumblings of discontent. Being in the quarter-finals, Chelsea have a decent chance of winning this trophy. Despite a hectic schedule, they should be able to finish in the top four easily. Resting players on Wednesday is simply risking a face full of egg.

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While Chelsea management may see this game as a low-pressure environment to bleed their youngsters, the above circumstances make it the opposite. Diamonds are made under pressure, though, so hopefully the Blues will soon enough have a semi-final to look forward to.

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