Chelsea continues perfect run in Europa Conference League

On November 28, 2024, Chelsea FC achieved a significant milestone by securing their fourth consecutive win in the Europa Conference League with a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim. This match was held at Chelsea's home ground, where Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring, netting his fifth goal in four European appearances. Mykhaylo Mudryk followed up with a crucial second goal to solidify the team’s position at the top of their group. The victory not only enhances Chelsea's confidence ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixtures but also reinforces their aim of bypassing the first round play-offs in the European competition. In the game against Heidenheim, both Nkunku and Mudryk demonstrated their growing importance in Chelsea's attacking setup, especially given their limited opportunities in the Premier League during the season. Nkunku's performance has been particularly notable, as he competes directly with Nicolas Jackson for the starting position in attack. Meanwhile, Mudryk, with his impressive three goals and three assists in European play, is also vying for a spot as he faces competition from Joao Felix and Noni Madueke. Their recent form raises crucial questions regarding their roles in the Premier League, especially as they prepare to face Aston Villa, where both players may have the opportunity to start. However, not all players are experiencing the same level of success. Jadon Sancho continues to struggle for form and has yet to score since joining Chelsea. He faces the risk of not securing a spot in the starting eleven, raising concerns over the investment Chelsea has made, as they are obligated to buy him at the end of the season for £25 million. Without immediate improvement, his future in the squad may be uncertain, and manager Enzo Maresca could decide to explore other options within the team. Additionally, challenges arose during the fixture for Cesare Casadei, who suffered an unfortunate red card in the closing moments of the match after a controversial second yellow for a minor infraction. Although Chelsea had already secured the match, the sending-off was particularly painful for Casadei, as it prevents him from gaining valuable experience in Europe, especially given that he has not featured in the Premier League yet this season. Moving forward, Maresca's focus will be on maintaining their impressive performance in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League, ensuring a strong finish to this phase of their campaign.