Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has voiced his concerns over the challenging and unusual travel schedule his team faces ahead of their Europa Conference League clash against Astana. The Blues will embark on a lengthy 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan for the match, which will take place at Almaty Central Stadium, as renovations are underway at Astana's usual home ground. After the trip, Chelsea will face a crucial Premier League game against Brentford just a few days later, which adds to the pressure of the tight schedule.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Maresca admitted the strenuous nature of the back-to-back fixtures, particularly the travel involved. "Eight hours is not a normal time for a game, but we have to go there, we have to play, and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game," Maresca explained. The manager's primary concern is balancing the demands of the Conference League and the Premier League, as Chelsea aims to maintain their unbeaten record in Group D of the Conference League. The Blues currently sit atop the group, tied with Legia Warszawa from Poland.
The match in Kazakhstan will be held at a venue located 600 miles from Kazakhstan's capital, a fact that further complicates logistics. Maresca has decided to rest several key players for the trip, understanding the physical and mental toll the travel will take. Noni Madueke is one of the prominent names set to be rested, and Pedro Neto will miss the trip due to suspension, ruling him out of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Brentford. Defender Josh Acheampong will make his first senior start for the club, following a successful contract renewal. In addition to Acheampong, Chelsea will bring a mix of youth players on the trip, including Ato Ampah, Shumaira Mheuka, Harrison McMahon, Kaiden Wilson, Richard Olise, and Harrison Murray-Campbell, all of whom are expected to be part of the traveling squad.
While Maresca is focused on rotating the squad for the trip to Kazakhstan, he also made it clear that those players who don’t feature in the match will be kept busy with training back in London. “The ones that are not involved tomorrow, first of all, they’re going to be training, and they have to train well,” Maresca said. This ensures that those not traveling will remain sharp and ready to contribute should they be needed for the upcoming Premier League clash.
The team’s return from Kazakhstan will also be a challenging aspect of their schedule. Chelsea is expected to fly back early Friday morning at 6 am, leaving little time for rest before Sunday’s league match against Brentford. Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of having players arrive in London so early and then be expected to play a high-stakes Premier League match within two days. "It’s unusual for players landing at such an early hour to play again on Sunday, but we will do our best and make the effort," he said.
Compounding the travel difficulties, the team will face freezing temperatures in Kazakhstan, with expected lows around minus 11 degrees Celsius. Despite the challenging weather, defender Axel Disasi was unfazed by the cold, assuring that the players are well-prepared for the conditions. "We just have to put on two pairs of gloves and be ready to compete in these conditions," Disasi remarked, adding that the team is mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. To help pass the long flight, the players have been making plans to watch movies and keep themselves entertained during the extended journey.
Maresca and his team will look to continue their strong form in the Conference League while also navigating the complexities of their schedule. As they balance domestic and European commitments, Chelsea will need to remain focused and resilient as they push toward achieving success on both fronts.
