Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed concerns about the demanding schedule his team faces, with a grueling 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan followed by a Premier League match just days later.
The Blues will travel to Almaty for their UEFA Conference League clash with Astana on Thursday. Due to ongoing stadium renovations in Kazakhstan’s capital, the team must make the 3,700-mile journey, which includes an eight-hour flight each way. The flight route has been altered to avoid conflict zones in Ukraine, Russia, and Syria, adding to the travel time.
Once they arrive in Almaty, temperatures are expected to plummet to -11°C, posing further challenges for the squad. Despite the extreme cold, Chelsea’s players have been advised to prepare for the match by bringing extra layers and remaining mentally focused. Defender Axel Disasi summed up the situation, saying, “We just have to put on two pairs of gloves and be ready to compete.”
Chelsea will return to London early Friday morning, leaving just over 48 hours to prepare for their Premier League match against Brentford on Sunday evening at 19:00 GMT. This compressed turnaround has led Maresca to rest several key players for the Conference League match, including England winger Noni Madueke, while Portugal’s Pedro Neto will be absent due to suspension.
In addition to first-team absences, a handful of youth players will be included in the travelling squad. Ato Ampah, Shumaira Mheuka, and Kaiden Wilson are among the promising talents set to travel, while 18-year-old Josh Acheampong is expected to make his first start in Kazakhstan. The young defender is also close to signing a new contract with the club.
Maresca acknowledged the immense toll this travel would take on his squad, admitting, “Eight hours [one way] is not a normal time [to travel] for a game, but we have to go there, we have to play and we want to try to do our best, thinking also about the next game.”
Despite the challenges, Chelsea remain in a strong position. With a perfect record of four wins from four in the Conference League, they have already secured at least a place in the play-off stage. In the Premier League, they are currently second, just four points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Premier League has granted Chelsea a later kick-off time for the Brentford match due to the travel demands, but Maresca remains cautious about the potential strain on his players. “It’s not normal for one of them, if they land at 6am on Friday, to play again on Sunday,” he said. “But if we need them to, they are going to make the effort.”
As Chelsea navigate this tough schedule, Maresca’s tactical decisions and player management will be crucial in ensuring his team remains competitive across both competitions.
