Chelsea team news: Enzo Maresca rests five senior stars for Panathinaikos Conference League game

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has left out five senior players who could have faced Panathinaikos on Thursday evening.

Ahead of the League Phase of the Conference League, Maresca opted to leave Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer out of his squad in order to hand them rest during a hectic campaign.

Ben Chilwell was also omitted from the group for this stage, and it has increased the onus on the remaining players to ensure that the Blues finish in the top eight of the standings.

Before the international break, Chelsea recorded a 4-2 triumph over Belgian outfit Gent, one of the toughest opponents that they will face on the continent before Christmas.

Despite the threat also offered by Panathinaikos, Maresca has decided to take a chance and voluntarily reduce the experienced options available to him in Greece.

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Who has been left out?

Having made his first appearance of the season after a hamstring injury at Liverpool on Sunday, it comes as no surprise that Reece James has not boarded the plane.

Fellow right-back Malo Gusto and centre-back Levi Colwill are also excluded, highlighting their greater seniority in the first-team squad this season.

Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson, who each had long trips back from international duty last week, are also handed rests from action ahead of returning to the side for Sunday's Premier League encounter against Newcastle United on Sunday.

As reported earlier this week, highly-rated 18-year-old Josh Acheampong will stay out of contention unless he pens a new contract.

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Which youngsters are included?

Tyrique George will hope to be introduced in the final third during the closing stages, as he has been against Servette and Barrow earlier this season.

Midfielder Samuel Rak-Sakyi and forward Shumaira Mheuka - who are 19 and 17 years of age respectively - also form part of the travelling group.

Goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom provides cover for Filip Jorgensen who has recently served concussion protocols for a head injury sustained while representing Denmark Under-21s.

Squad in full

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom

Defenders: Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka, Samuel Rak-Sakyi

Forwards Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka