by Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has promised more game time for his second-row stars as the match schedule intensifies, following a hard-fought 2-0 Conference League win over Heidenheim.
The Italian made 10 changes from his side’s Premier League win over Leicester, as has become the custom in Europe this season, and they have had to fight to maintain their one hundred percent record in the competition against 15th team in the Bundesliga.
Christopher Nkunku scored his 11th of the campaign to cement his place as the team’s top scorer, before Mykhailo Mudryk struck late with a fine strike into the top corner to seal the victory.
There were also impressive performances from Jadon Sancho – who scored both goals – and back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who put in perhaps his best performance since arriving in the summer.
“It was a really good challenge in every way,” Maresca said. “(Heidenheim) pressed high, intense, but no matter what they do, it’s important that we are ready. It is important to continue with this mentality.
“They (the players) are ready and that’s important. Filip had a very good match, Christo (Nkunku) the same. We have nine or ten games in December, so they are going to have more opportunities. They must be ready.
Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, started for the first time since October 20 after a period of illness and injury, and he made the most of his opportunity, delivering almost identical crosses for both of his team’s goals in Germany.
“I said it from the beginning, Jadon is very important to us,” Maresca said. “He has to be fit, mentally and physically and he will help us a lot.
“Unfortunately we haven’t used him in the last few games but he showed tonight how important he is. We need that quality in the final third against a low block. He will help us a lot.
There was also a third goal of the season for Mudryk, who scored with an excellent upward strike that flew into the roof of the net to eliminate the danger from the closing stages.
Cesare Casadei was sent off in the last minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card, meaning he will miss Chelsea’s next match in the tournament against Astana in Kazakhstan.
“It’s hard to find players tonight that didn’t play well,” Maresca said. “We need them all to take risks when they have the chance.
“They all want to play more; they all deserve to play and work wonderfully. We’re going to share minutes in the next few games because we have so many games and it’s the normal thing to do.
