Enzo Maresca challenges Chelsea's £140m misfits to get back to being 'big players' ahead of Conference League kick off as Blues boss prepares to hand chances to fringe stars

Chelsea will take on Belgian side Gent in the Conference League on Thursday Enzo Maresca has challenged Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku to get back to being 'big players' for Chelsea as opportunities come their way with the club's star names sitting out the Conference League league phase. Ukraine winger Mudryk cost £89million in January 2023 but has scored just seven times in 64 appearances since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk, whereas £54m striker Nkunku has found the net nine times in his 23 games but only four goals have come in the Premier League. And with top scorer Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell all left out of the squad for the league phase, which begins on Thursday against Belgian side Gent, Maresca has urged the pair to seize their chance. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has challenged two of his Blues stars to get back to being 'big players' Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku cost the Blues £140million but are yet to properly settle at the club They will get their chance on Thursday with Cole Palmer rested for the Conference League league phase The Italian insisted he had no regrets about leaving England left back Chilwell out of his Conference League party, having relegated him to his 'bomb squad', and admitted that Palmer had been left out to protect him from burnout.