Chelsea’s pursuit of EFL Cup glory begins as they host AFC Wimbledon, a League Two team, in the second round clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Despite Chelsea entering at this stage, AFC Wimbledon already upset Coventry City in the first round and aims to replicate that success.
Having finished in the 12th spot during the 2022-23 Premier League season, CFC are venturing into new territory in the EFL Cup this week. This marks their first appearance in the second round of the tournament since the 2016-17 season, in contrast to English teams in Europe who receive a bye to the third round.
Recently, Pochettino secured his first win as Chelsea’s head coach on the third attempt, with a standout performance by Raheem Sterling leading to victory over Luton Town. With Nottingham Forest on Saturday after this upcoming EFL tie on Wednesday, it looks like Poch may rest majority of the first team from Luton last Friday.
Playing at Stamford Bridge enhances Chelsea’s chances of advancing, making them strong contenders for the next round. Pochettino aims to utilize this opportunity to test the younger players in the Blues squad.
Here are four Chelsea youngsters who deserve a chance vs Wimbeldon
Noni Madueke
Following his triumph in the Euros with England Under-21s, a hamstring injury sidelined Madueke during the pre-season. However, he has now resumed training. The winger was among the substitutes for the Blues’ match against Liverpool but did not make an appearance due to his ongoing recovery from the injury.
In the 3-1 loss against West Ham, the 21-year-old played the final 15 minutes, yet he remained on the sidelines during the game against Luton Town. Despite a challenging start, it appears that Madueke has regained his match fitness. While it remains uncertain if he’s fully prepared for a complete 90-minute performance, he certainly can contribute in some capacity.
The upcoming match against Wimbledon provides an ideal opportunity to gauge his fitness while allowing Raheem Sterling to rest.
Lesley Ugochukwu
A potential debutant for Chelsea in Wednesday’s match could be Lesley Ugochukwu, the tall midfielder who joined during the summer. He’s highly regarded at Stamford Bridge, having already appeared twice as a substitute this season. Despite the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Ugochukwu seems set to stay.
In his brief appearances against Liverpool and Luton, Ugochukwu displayed fearlessness and stood out due to his imposing physical presence in the midfield. His height and impressive technical skills suggest he could dominate midfield battles.
With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo likely to be rested on Wednesday, it’s probable that Lesley Ugochukwu will start. This game could serve as an opportunity for him to prove his readiness to compete at Stamford Bridge, regardless of his age.
Djordje Petrovic
Chelsea recently finalized the acquisition of Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from the MLS side New England Revolution during the previous weekend. Taking on the No.28 jersey, he is set to challenge Robert Sanchez following Edouard Mendy’s departure and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan move to Real Madrid.
Petrovic has made 48 appearances for New England since his signing in 2022, quickly establishing himself after the departure of Matt Turner to Arsenal. Despite participating in only 21 out of 34 matches last season due to his midseason entry, he secured the second position in the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year ranking. He earned the a spot in the 2023 MLS All-Star and even earned two caps, representing the Serbian national team.
Petrovic is a promising emerging goalkeeper endowed with substantial potential. His imposing stature, athletic abilities, and quick reflexes make him a captivating prospect for the future. Particularly noteworthy is his adeptness in handling the ball, contributing to the team’s build-up play from the back, showcasing his adaptability as a contemporary goalkeeper.
Given Petrovic’s youth, he is currently honing his goalkeeping skills, but his trajectory indicates he could rise to the tiers of elite goalkeepers. With the expectation of assuming a crucial role for the Blues in the coming years, his developmental journey might see him evolve into a foundational pillar of the team’s defensive lineup. We are still unsure whether this EFL tie is too soon for him, considering Petrovic has just joined the squad, but it would be a great debut.
Diego Moreira
The dynamic winger Moreira made his debut for the Under-21s. As a summer addition, he’s also had exposure to the first team during the summer, and currently appears to split his time between both squads. Recently, he occupied a spot on the bench during Chelsea’s commanding victory over Luton. The 19-year-old traveled with the first team in there preseason USA tour but haven’t featured much apart from 45 minutes against newly promoted League Two side Wrexham.
Standing out immediately at this level, the Benfica youth product showcased an almost unmatched physicality and remarkable ease in carrying the ball. While he will benefit from additional time to adapt to the environment, it appears that, for the moment, he will be accessible for the development squad while maintaining close contact to the first team. He’s another player who might potentially secure a spot in Wednesday’s squad. It’ll be interesting to see what Pochettino will opt out for.