Enzo Maresca to unleash 18-year-old Chelsea star who made his debut under Mauricio Pochettino against Barrow

Chelsea are expected to look significantly different from the side that comfortably beat West Ham over the weekend, with a few youngsters eager for their chance in tonight’s game at Stamford Bridge.

One name likely to come straight into the starting lineup is highly rated 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong, who made his Chelsea debut last season under Mauricio Pochettino against Tottenham. There were reports that Acheampong was close to joining Newcastle in the summer, but the club instead took him for pre-season, and like Tyrique George—who made his debut against Servette in the Europa League—he is likely to get some minutes tonight as well.

There is also the possibility that Ben Chilwell, who had been relegated to training with the "bomb squad" (outcast group), will now mark a remarkable turnaround and get his first minutes of the season against the League One table-topping side.

Enzo Maresca confirmed the trio would be in the squad for the game. He said: “They’re going to be in the squad for tomorrow. Some, we’ll see if they start from the beginning, but they’ll all be on the bench and hopefully, we can give them some minutes.”

There is also further good news for Chelsea with right-back Malo Gusto, who missed the international break and the last three games due to an injury picked up against Crystal Palace, now back in action. He is likely to get some minutes, as is Axel Disasi, who has filled in at right-back in the absence of both Reece James and Gusto.

Chelsea reached the final of the League Cup last season and will be looking to go one step further by winning it this year, but they must first take care of business against their League One opponents tonight before thinking of progressing any further.