Chelsea face Armenian opposition for the first time on Thursday night as they embrace the true meaning of the Europa Conference League.
Having shrugged off Belgian Gent and Greek giants Panathinaikos, Chelsea are now tasked with defeating surprise qualifier FC Noah. The Armavir-based side only formed in 2017 and a trip to Stamford Bridge is the highlight of their club’s seven-year history.
The Blues will make significant changes for the arrival of the minnows, as they have done in their previous Conference League games, but should have no problem sweeping Noah to maintain their status as top of the stage league
Here’s how Chelsea could line up with Noah on Thursday.
GK: Filip Jorgensen – Another shaky performance from Robert Sanchez at the weekend has strengthened Jorgensen’s hand once again. The summer signing remains second in the pecking order, but will look to wear the number one shirt.
RB: Renato Veiga – The versatile youngster has largely been limited to appearances in cup competitions and has impressed in his outings on the continent. Vega scored and assisted the Victory by 4-2 in Gent – Chelsea’s last European game at home.
CB: Axel Disasi – Having endured an evening to forget in which he produced a comical own goal in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Disasi is yet to return to the starting line-up as Maresca makes the changes.
CB: Benoit Badiashile – Despite failing to keep a clean sheet in Chelsea’s opening two league games, Badiashile has produced some outstanding performances at the heart of the defence.
LB: Marc Cucurella – Cucurella has struggled to make an immediate, well, positive impression on Maresca. The Spaniard won the European Championship during the summer, but has fallen behind right-back Malo Gusto in the Italian coach’s ranking.
DM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – A manager’s favorite during his time at Leicester City, Dewsbury-Hall has been little more than a bit player for the Blues under Maresca as Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia anchor the midfield efficiently.
DM: Enzo Fernández – Like his midfield partner on Thursday, Fernández has struggled to usurp Caicedo and Lavia. The 23-year-old is unlikely to start against arsenal at the weekend, rather than being used against inferior opposition in Europe.
RW: Tyrique George – The highly-rated academy graduate featured from the bench in the wins over Gent and Panathinaikos, but could be promoted to the starting XI following doubts over Jadon Sancho’s fitness. Although usually a left-back, the 18-year-old can switch sides to facilitate Mykhailo Mudryk.
AM: Joao Felix – Felix has thrived in cup competitions as he continues to be overlooked in the Premier League. The 23-year-old scored a brace in Greece in Chelsea’s last European outing.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk – The Ukrainian has saved his best football for the League of Conferences this season and will be hoping to add to his eight goals for Chelsea when Noah visits Stamford Bridge. Scored one goal and two assists against Panathinaikos.
ST: Christopher Nkunku – Nkunku has led the line in Chelsea’s second XI this season and has done an admirable job, forcing Nicolas Jackson to maintain his excellent form. He has eight goals in 15 games in 2024/25.
