Shumaira Mheuka has become Chelsea’s youngest-ever player to start in a European game against Copenhagen on Thursday.
At 17 years and 137 days old, the wonderkid’s appearance was predictable as the Blues faced multiple injuries in the No. 9 position.
Enzo Maresca is left without a senior striker, with Nicolas Jackson suffering a thigh injury, while Marc Guiu is out due to hamstring issues.
Furthermore, the Italian specialist has heavily rotated the squad, placing faith in youth ahead of the first leg of the Conference League round of 16.
Besides Mheuka, Maresca started Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George, while Reece James continues to feature in a new defensive midfielder role alongside Moises Caicedo.
Cole Palmer has appeared on the right wing once again, with strong starter Malo Gusto behind.
Shumaira Mheuka has become the youngest player to start an European game for Chelsea
Enzo Maresca decided to hand the 17-year-old a start amid the Blues’ injuries in the No 9 position
The Italian specialist has released heavily rotated squad against Copenhagen, which also includes Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George
The clash at the Paken stadium marked Mheuka’s third senior appearance for Chelsea after the youngster featured in Chelsea’s squad against Astana in December and for one minute against Southampton in late February.
However, the English youngster’s talents emerged after he arrived in the Blues’ youth system from Brighton’s academy in 2022.
Mheuka sparked Chelsea’s interest after the player, at the age of 13, scored a brace against the Blues.
Last summer, he was promoted to the Under 21s squad, scoring two goals and adding two assists in 17 games.
Mheuka is already the 15th youngest player in the club’s history to make an appearance for the senior squad, outperformed by several well-known names such as Dominic Solanke and Ethan Ampadu.
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