Chelsea can unleash their own Ethan Nwaneri in Conference League after Enzo Maresca praise

Enzo Maresca should consider handing Tyrique George a full Chelsea debut in the Conference League clash with Noah on Thursday. The Blues teenager is ready for increased action and Europe’s third-rate competition presents an opportunity for the Premier League club to provide their best talent with senior experience.

Chelsea can look across London at top-flight rivals Arsenal to see how to benefit from using academy stars. Mikel Arteta has carefully managed the game time of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly over the past year and now has two homegrown players ready for regular first-team action.

Nwaneri is one of England’s most highly-rated stars and has benefitted from action in domestic cup competitions and in Europe. Chelsea must provide the same opportunities to their best young players, including George.

The 18-year-old is a more direct dribbler than Nwaneri but possesses similar technical qualities. They are both excellent passers and top creators. George has a ferocious shot from distance – evidenced with long-range goals for Chelsea under-18s against Crystal Palace, Luton and Tottenham last season.

A regular with England’s age groups up to U19, George has impressed in his fleeting appearances in Chelsea’s first team. He has featured three times in the Europa League and should have scored his first senior goal in the Carabao Cup triumph over Servette but miscued an effort inside the penalty area.

“I think he was good,” Maresca said of George after a cameo appearance in a Conference League qualifier against Servette earlier this campaign. “I was very happy for him to make his debut. The most important thing is he was not shy because he played with personality. This is important for a young player.”

The Chelsea boss has confirmed that George will be part of the squad for Thursday’s visit of Noah. There will be few better opportunities to see what the forward can offer in competitive action than against the team who sit fourth in Armenia’s top-flight.

Cole Palmer is not part of Chelsea’s Conference League squad while Jadon Sancho is injured and Noni Madueke is due a rest. George will compete for one of the three places behind the striker – often Christopher Nkunku in this competition – with Mykhaylo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto.

Arsenal have proved why showing patience in young players can provide the head coach with wider options. George is the most promising attacker in Chelsea academy ranks and must be given opportunities to excel in the first team.