Copenhagen vs. Chelsea team news: Does Cole Palmer start? Shock debut for teenager

Copenhagen and Chelsea have announced their starting lineups for the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

The Blues head into their fixture at the Parken Stadium looking to bolster their chances of lifting the trophy in this competition at the end of the season.

However, head coach Enzo Maresca has named a surprising XI on several levels, including handing a first-ever start to Shumaira Mheuka.

Aside from a 12-minute outing versus Astana during the League Phase, the 17-year-old has been limited to academy action this season, where he has netted eight goals across Under-18 and Under-21 fixtures.

Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile both start on their return from injuries, with Chalobah playing at right-back after a minor back issue and Badiashile for the first time since December having recovered from a thigh injury.

Reece James is seemingly lining up in a central-midfield role, while Tyrique George continues to earn game time in this competition with a start on the left flank.

Cole Palmer could line up on the right, rather than his usual central role, with Maresca potentially deploying a 4-3-3 system.

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Big blow for Copenhagen

Meanwhile, Copenhagen have suffered a late blow with central midfielder Thomas Delaney having needed to withdraw from the squad due to illness.

William Clem has been brought into the engine room in his place, while Elias Achouri starts with Mohamed Elyounoussi ineligible due to having been left out of the club's Conference League squad.

Copenhagen XI: Ramaj; Diks, Gabriel, Hatzidiakos, Claesson, Froholdt, Chiakha, Gocholeishvili, Meling, Achouri, Clem

Subs: Trott, Garananga, Mattsson, Huescas, Lopez, Robert, Runarsson, Falk, Nemeth

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto; Caicedo, James, Dewsbury-Hall; Palmer, Mheuka, George

Subs: Jorgensen, Bergstrom, Colwill, Acheampong, Cucurella, Amougou, Fernandez, Sancho, Neto, Nkunku