Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is expected to ring the changes ahead of his side's Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, with 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu expected to be involved in the Chelsea squad.
Conte has already confirmed that Eden Hazard will make his first Chelsea start of the season as he continues his recovery from a broken ankle suffered on international duty at the end of last season, with the Belgian expected to be joined in attack by fellow countrymen Michy Batshuayi and Charly Musonda, with the Italian insisting that he 'trusts' Musonda.
“With Musonda we are talking about a really good prospect. Charly, you can see very clearly, his talent," he explained. "Now it’s important he works very well, trying to adapt himself to this league because this league is not simple. It’s a physical league. He’s a bit thin, but he’s working a lot to improve his strength and to be prepared to make a big impact in this league. I trust Charly, but it’s important he gives a good answer when the chance to play arrives.”
Ampadu, meanwhile, is likely to be made to do with a spot on the bench. Despite his tenders years, Ampadu does have experience in men's football, having made eight appearances for Exeter and becoming the club's youngest ever player at the age of just 15 years 10 months and 26 days in August 2016 before Chelsea convinced him to reject the offer of a scholarship at St James' park and make the move to Stamford Bridge.
Conte is confident that Ampadu has a big future at the club. “Ampadu is a young player but I think he has good quality,” said the Chelsea head coach. “He has good prospects to become a Chelsea player. He’s strong physically, [has] good technique and personality. Yes, I think we have to continue to work with him and to try and improve him, to bring him to the next step. But for sure he has good prospects at Chelsea and will be in the squad [against Forest].”
Having represented England at U16 level, the midfielder is also eligible for Ireland, Wales and Ghana and having since switched his allegiance to Wales, has been involved in several of Wales boss Chris Coleman's senior squads.
Conte has denied that this heaps pressure on the youngster, instead commending him on the achievment.
“You must be proud of this [achievement],” he said. “But, for sure, he has to work a lot to deserve another call-up to the national team. We must be pleased because this player is a Chelsea player and now it’s important to work very well with him and try and improve his weaknesses. Yes, but he’s a young player. I’m sure he’s a good prospect for Chelsea.”
Willy Caballero, who joined the club on a free from Manchester City during the summer, and Andreas Christensen, who returned from a two-year loan spell at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach are also expected to feature alongside Kenedy.
You could have been forgiven for thinking that the Brazilian's Chelsea career was ofter after he was sent home from Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia amid claims of racism, but Chelsea's inability to secure another left-back during that summer transfer window has opened the door for a sensational return to action for the youngster.
Kenedy was handed a formal written warning by the FA the incident in China, but Conte believes that the player has learned his lesson.
“I think he knows very well what happened in China,” said the Chelsea boss. “For sure, he made a mistake. But I think that everyone in their life can make a mistake. Now he’s focused, he’s working very well, he understood his mistake. Now he’s ready. He’s ready to play and to show he deserves a space for the future.