Chelsea host Shamrock Rovers in the Europa Conference League on Thursday as they aim to make it six wins from six games, and secure qualification to the knock-out rounds.
By Alex Roberts
The two sides have never met in European competition before, with Enzo Maresca’s B-team needing just a point to ensure they’re in the next round, so long as Vitória do not beat Fiorentina by a 10-goal margin!
Shamrock Rovers won’t be pushovers, however, not only do they boast the third best defensive record in the competition, but the Dubliners are also one of three unbeaten sides remaining, alongside Chelsea and Vitória.
Missing Mykayhlo Mudryk
Chelsea will be without the rapid Ukrainian winger for the game against Shamrock Rovers and the foreseeable future after he was provisionally suspended for failing a drugs test. He, of course, denies the allegations.
Mudryk had managed to find some form in the Europa Conference League before his latest setback, making six goal contributions in their previous five games, including a stunning strike against FC Heidenheim.
Maresca remains adamant that the winger still has a future at the club but don’t expect to see him in a blue shirt any time soon.
Johnny Kenny scores goals
The young Irish striker has been in outstanding form, netting 13 goals in 29 matches during the 2024 League of Ireland season and adding five goals in five European appearances.
Kenny’s brace against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Borac Banja Luka puts him on level terms with Chelsea’s £55 million man Christopher Nkunku in the race for the golden boot, while they both have a single assist each too.
No matter who Chelsea play at centre-back, it will likely be the toughest night of Kenny’s short career, but he certainly has it in him to cause problems.
Back in from the cold, Josh Acheampong
Acheampong had previously been frozen out at Chelsea, banned from playing for either the first team or the youth sides until his contract situation was sorted.
The right-back has since made his return, earning his first start for the senior team in Chelsea’s comfortable 3-1 win over FC Astana in the previous round and ended the game as one of the club’s stand out performers.
With a 94% pass accuracy rate, nine recoveries, and six ground duels won, it’s easy to see why Chelsea were so keen to tie the youngster down to a new deal.
Now that he’s committed his long-term future to the club, expect to see more from Acheampong.
Doing Irish football proud
Sitting in sixth with 11 points from their opening five games, Shamrock Rovers face the very real possibility of qualifying for the next round, marking the first time a League of Ireland club has featured in knock-out European football.
They may have lost out on the league title to former Chelsea winger Damien Duff and his Shelbourne FC side, but the Rovers may well get the last laugh.
Prediction
Shamrock Rovers shouldn’t be judged on their performance against the Premier League giants. That been said, we’re going to go with 4-0 to Chelsea.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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