Chelsea’s recent win in the Conference League against Heidenheim has led manager Enzo Maresca to hint that players involved in the competition might be given more chances during the busy December period.
With seven Premier League matches and two European fixtures on the horizon, squad rotation seems inevitable.
Maresca highlighted Christopher Nkunku and Filip Jorgensen for their standout contributions. Nkunku, who scored the opening goal, remains Chelsea’s top scorer this season, while Jorgensen’s stellar performance in goal has strengthened his case for a regular starting spot in the Premier League.
Although Jorgensen has mainly appeared in midweek games since his move from Villarreal, his impressive performance—marked by crucial saves—has fueled calls for him to replace Robert Sánchez in the league lineup.
This sentiment has been echoed by national media outlets, which have praised his growing influence.
Media Reactions:
- BBC Sport (Neil Johnston): The Conference League is proving useful for Maresca to test players, with Johnston focusing on Nkunku’s scoring form and Jorgensen’s increasing push for the No. 1 goalkeeper role.
- Daily Mail (Kieran Gill): Nkunku, labeled Chelsea’s “Mr. Conference League,” continues to shine in Europe with 11 goals across all competitions, though speculation about his Premier League chances persists.
- Daily Mirror (Alan Smith): Jorgensen’s crucial saves helped secure Chelsea’s clean sheet, with Smith suggesting that the young keeper could soon surpass Sánchez as the starting goalkeeper.
- Sky Sports (Patrick Rowe): Rowe called Jorgensen’s performance “borderline ridiculous,” praising his agility and composure and questioning why he remains a backup.
- The Times (Peter Rutzler): Rutzler noted that Chelsea’s victory was hard-fought but highlighted the team’s depth and Jorgensen’s key contributions.
- The Telegraph (Sam Dean): Dean described the match as a tough challenge, with Chelsea’s “B team” stepping up, including Jadon Sancho, who provided assists for both goals and showed signs of regaining his Premier League form.
As Chelsea prepares for a packed schedule, performances from Jorgensen and Nkunku suggest they could play increasingly important roles in the coming weeks.
