Thu Dec 12 20:05:06 UTC 2024: ## Chelsea Youth Shine in Conference League Victory
**Almaty, Kazakhstan –** Chelsea secured their place in the Conference League last 16 with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Astana in freezing conditions in Almaty. The match saw manager Enzo Maresca hand full senior debuts to several academy players, showcasing the club’s promising youth talent.
Eighteen-year-old defender Josh Acheampong and 19-year-old midfielder Samuel Rak-Sakyi both started, marking a significant milestone in their careers. They were joined by fellow teenager Marc Guiu, who scored twice in the opening 18 minutes, showcasing impressive individual skill to secure his second and third Chelsea goals. Renato Veiga added a third for Chelsea before halftime with a header.
Despite playing 600 miles from their home stadium due to renovations, Astana managed a consolation goal through a stunning strike by Marin Tomasov. However, this proved to be little more than a brief moment of brilliance against a dominant Chelsea performance.
Other Chelsea teenagers given opportunities included Tyrique George (second senior start), Ato Ampah (first senior appearance), and 17-year-old Shim Mheuka, who became the club’s second-youngest player in Europe after Dominic Solanke. Kiano Dyer also made his debut.
The match was played in temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius, and while Pedro Neto was the only player from Sunday’s starting XI against Tottenham to feature, Chelsea comfortably controlled the game, showcasing both their youth potential and their experience. The win sets up Chelsea nicely for their upcoming domestic fixture against Brentford.
First Piper 