Cole Palmer replacement, Jadon Sancho dropped - Chelsea XI Enzo Maresca should pick vs Panathinaikos

Chelsea return to action on Thursday evening as they take on Panathinaikos in their second UEFA Conference League league phase match.

After beating Gent 4-2 earlier this month, the Blues will be looking to make it two wins from two in Europe in Athens. Enzo Maresca is expected to once again make wholesale changes to his side with the game coming just a few days after Chelsea were agonisingly beaten at Liverpool in the Premier League.

Maresca has used the Conference League, as well as the Carabao Cup, to rotate his squad and hand the 'fringe' players some much-needed competitive minutes. That is what the Italian is expected to do yet again in the Greek capital - and football.london's panel of Chelsea writers have shared what they would do if they were in the head coach's shoes...

Bobby Vincent

Filip Jorgensen has been Maresca's go-to man in cup competitions thus far and if he is fit enough to face Panathinaikos, then there is no question he goes in goal. After another shady performance from Robert Sanchez at the weekend, Thursday night is another chance for Jorgensen to apply some pressure on the Spanish goalkeeper.

Malo Gusto and Reece James should both be handed a rest in Greece, leaving Axel Disasi to start alongside Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile. At left-back, Renato Veiga should return to the team with Maresca keeping an eye on Sunday's game against Newcastle United regarding Marc Cucurella.

Cesare Casadei should come back into the side after impressing in his two other appearances this season. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall deserves another opportunity in the centre of midfield after what was his best performance for the club in their last European outing against Gent.

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Pedro Neto to replace Noni Madueke on the right, while Mykhailo Mudryk comes in for Jadon Sancho on the other side. Joao Felix deserves a start in the No.10 role, with Cole Palmer not even included in the Conference League squad, while Christopher Nkunku replaces Nicolas Jackson up front.

Bobby's line-up: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.

Sam Truelove

Chelsea can make it two wins from two in the UEFA Conference League league phase if they beat Panathinaikos on Thursday night. Enzo Maresca will likely rotate his side so that means Filip Jorgensen starts if he is fit.

Ahead of the goalkeeper Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo are my picks at centre-back, while I would play Axel Disasi at right back. Reece James and Malo Gusto have not travelled so Disasi gets another chance on the right hand side.. At left-back I would start Marc Cucurella as the Spaniard needs game time due to being suspended for the Liverpool fixture.

In midfield I would start Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Both have impressed this season when trusted by Maresca and should get a decent opportunity in Athens to show their class.

Moving to the forward line and Mykhailo Mudryk must start. The Ukraine international was left out of the squad to face Liverpool on Sunday and really needs a good performance. Joao Felix was not brought on against the Reds so deserves a start here, while Noni Madueke looks like he needs a goal or two so I would start him on the right. Christopher Nkunku then gets the nod up top and you wouldn't bet against the Frenchman to score his eighth goal of the season.

Sam's line-up: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.

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