Chelsea leave host of first-team stars including Enzo Fernandez & Pedro Neto behind for Conference League trip to struggling Bundesliga side Heidenheim

The Italian manager continues to rest key players in the Conference League as he aims to manage minutes in a bid to tackle an unforgiving schedule. Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson, Reece James, Fernandez and Neto are among the players who have been registered but left out of the 21-strong squad that will fly to Germany.

Neto, one of the notable absentees, sustained an injury during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Poland. The 24-year-old forward was forced to sit out Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Leicester City last weekend and Maresca is not willing to risk the player midweek.

Maresca has included several academy prospects in the squad for the trip to Germany. Goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom is joined by midfielders Kiano Dyer and Samuel Rak-Sakyi, while winger Tyrique George and teenage striker Shumaira Mheuka add an attacking flair.

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom

Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Renato Veiga

Midfielders: Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Samuel Rak-Sakyi

Forwards: Tyrique George, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jadon Sancho, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka, Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea has enjoyed a strong start in the UEFA Conference League, winning all three of their previous group-stage matches against Gent, Panathinaikos, and Noah. The manager will hope that the blend of seasoned players and emerging talents can secure another victory to further solidify their lead in the competition.