youngsters

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Chelsea made historical past. Not as soon as however twice. And in the identical half. After which made much more historical past after that. First Marc Guiu turned their youngest-ever scorer within the after which the excellent Estêvão Willian, at 18 years and 181 days, beat that document.

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The Brazilian, who seems to be like a famous person within the making and had the group “oohing and ahhing” at his trickery and chutzpah, might have had a hat-trick and went so shut with a spectacular overhead kick it had Enzo Maresca puffing out his cheeks on the touchline.

“I really feel very fortunate to be his supervisor. The followers pay the tickets to see gamers like Cole [Palmer], Estêvão,” the head coach mentioned.

“With younger gamers more often than not you’re a little bit fearful. They play one sport, two video games and rating and assume they’re high gamers. The benefit of Estêvão is we don’t want to fret about that.”

By the top Guiu was even down to 3rd on the record as substitute Tyrique George, additionally 19 however a month youthful than the Spaniard, scored along with his first contact. All in the identical sport. And, for all three, it was their first aim on this competitors.

Tyrique George, 19, turns into the third Chelsea teenager to get on the scoresheet in opposition to 10-man Ajax – Getty Photographs/Ryan Pierse

There was extra: it was the primary time three youngsters have scored for a similar group – with Chelsea utilizing 10 gamers aged 21 and underneath – at this degree.

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When Reggie Walsh got here on the kindergarten rely continued, as with Josh Acheampong, with the Chelsea followers imploring the midfielder, at 17 years and two days the youngest to play for the membership within the Champions League and second youngest Englishman after Jack Wilshere, to “give us a wave”.

A trigger for celebration? Actually for Chelsea as they steamrollered a sorry Ajax facet – decreased to 10 males early on – however not a lot for the Champions League. That demand for a wave from a participant confirmed how one-sided it was. Rightly Walsh ignored it.

Amid the youthful exuberance it additionally didn’t really feel fairly proper that one group might make 10 adjustments and embrace three youngsters from the beginning and produce extra on and nonetheless be far, far too sturdy for his or her opponents. Even earlier than the sending off.

It made the kids seem like playground bullies.

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All this youth contrasted much more sharply with the actual fact Ajax had a 41-year-old in aim – the third oldest to play within the Champions League – though Remko Pasveer was not the explanation they had been humiliated.

What does this say about Chelsea’s potential? Maresca has banged on about them not being able to problem however he has such expertise and riches and talent at his disposal that it will likely be onerous to minimize expectations. Even within the Champions League and particularly having gained the Membership World Cup in the summertime.

Chelsea should be contenders and it could be mistaken to counsel in any other case particularly as their two different scorers had been £100m-plus gamers whereas Reece James – who had been the membership’s earlier youngest scorer, additionally in opposition to Ajax – Pedro Neto, Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Garnacho staying on the bench and with João Pedro suspended and Palmer and Liam Delap injured. The younger weapons can go for it and can take enormous confidence from this.

Regardless of the apparent weak point of the opposition, this Ajax is a pale model of what the storied membership has achieved, not least in successful the European Cup 4 occasions, there was some shock at Maresca’s group choice. Had he made too many? Was it an pointless threat? Ought to he actually be taking part in Moisés Caicedo at right-back?

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How these issues had been banished and made to look a bit ridiculous. Sure, Chelsea’s trigger was aided by the crimson card proven to Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor for a reckless excessive deal with on Facundo Buonanotte however they’d have gained anyway.

Ajax performed 75 minutes with 10 males after Kenneth Taylor was proven a straight crimson card for a harmful deal with on Facundo Buonanotte – PA/Adam Davy

The primary aim confirmed that as a cross was allowed to bounce right through to Wesley Fofana who headed it again throughout for the unmarked Guiu to side-foot house his first of the season.

It was an indication for Ajax head coach Johnny Heitinga to make a change, taking off Oscar Gloukh who had been his facet’s most harmful participant and bringing on the extra defensive Jorthy Mokio. The Ajax followers didn’t like that. Not one bit. First in Dutch, then in English, they chanted: “You’re getting sacked within the morning”. It summed up Heitinga’s night.

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“He needed to do some injury management,” Pasveer argued. Nicely, that didn’t work.

He was crushed once more, with Caicedo’s 25-yard drive deflected previous him, but it surely additionally owed a lot to some horrible marking from Ajax earlier than all of it bought a bit bonkers with three penalties. All earlier than half-time.

Moises Caicedo doubled Chelsea’s lead after 27 minutes along with his fourth aim of the season – Getty Photographs/Justin Setterfield

Firstly, Tosin Adarabioyo rashly caught Raúl Moro as he dribbled into the world with Wout Weghorst beating Filip Jorgensen, though the goalkeeper did dive over the ball and may, actually, have saved it.

Then all of it went mistaken for Weghorst – goaded as a “s— Andy Carroll” by Chelsea followers – who slid in and introduced down Enzo Fernández who scored from the spot. On half-time Estêvão twisted and turned and was fouled with Fernández handing him the ball. He emphatically transformed his penalty and due to this fact beat Guiu’s document which had lasted all of 29 minutes. His achievement was crushed once more three minutes after the re-start with George firing previous Pasveer.

“Very proud. It’s a particular night time for the membership and younger gamers,” Maresca mentioned. It was. Even when it was additionally an embarrassing mis-match.

10:22pm

A final phrase (or 10) from Enzo Maresca

The crimson card modified the sport. We approached fairly properly and began properly. Ten adjustments properly it’s a really demanding season. We’ve to rotate. We all know while you concede a crimson card with 10 minutes to go it’s OK however when it’s greater than an hour to go it’s troublesome.

We belief the younger gamers loads, not simply those we purchase however the ones from the academy, Reggie, Josh …

It’s thrilling to see him. The benefit of Estevao he’s taking part in properly he’s well mannered, humble, needs to study. His household have achieved an enormous job there. He’s a pleasant boy, a very good boy.

He wants time – he’s a winger now however will play inside, within the pocket. Like Cole, who I had at Manchester Metropolis within the Below-23s. He got here inside from out extensive.

We’d like Cole however with out him we discover options. It’s good we’re capable of carry out and win video games with out him.

We’re pleased however each sport is totally different and the Premier League may be very demanding. Sunderland [at the weekend] are doing properly however we’ll attempt to hold the momentum going.

10:05pm

Tyrique George, considered one of three youngsters to attain, speaks to TNT Sports activities

We’re pleased to win and rating so many objectives. We had enjoyable. I used to be itching to get on and attempt to rating which I did. I noticed the ball simply laying there so I hit it and yeah it went in. It’s an incredible feeling. I’ve been right here since I used to be eight, it’s a dream come true. We’re all younger and having enjoyable on the pitch. We simply need to hold going, hold enhancing and getting the wins.

10:01pm

Full time: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Who is aware of whether or not 11 vs 11 would have made Ajax extra aggressive and Chelsea had been beneficiaries of a very good slice of luck with the deflected objectives, their second and fifth, however Ajax made so many daft fouls within the field and Chelsea had been so slick that they totally deserved their emphatic victory. Even those that have traditionally disliked Chelsea might discover a place of their hearts for Estevao. He’s a beautiful participant and a pleasure to observe.

09:58pm

90+4 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Ajax have stemmed the bleeding and are roughly efficiently taking part in for time.

09:57pm

90+2 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Robbie Savage declares that Chelsea are credible title contenders given the depth of high quality at their disposal. When requested whether or not they have sufficient expertise, he says “We will see.”

09:54pm

90 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Estevao’s cute back-heel sends Acheampong into the field down the inside-right however a sliding Mokio manages to nick it away.

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5 minutes of added time to come back, the announcement of which is whistled by the away followers.

09:52pm

88 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Chelsea sweep the ball round. No want for any added minutes right here.

09:51pm

86 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Extra Ajax adjustments as they proceed with their 5-4-0. Ajax followers are roaring their boys on with admirable defiance.

Fitz-Jim → RosaGaaei → Godts.

09:47pm

84 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Extra swazz than ever now as Estevao tries to attain with a bicycle kick within the field from George’s cross and hooks it extensive.

09:44pm

81 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

George’s shot from 20 yards hits Mokio as he flew in to shut him down and goes behind for a nook.

09:43pm

80 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Regeer → McConnell. Poor soul. Ten minutes to go, 10 males and 5-1 down.

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Fofana is limping and asks to come back off which might deliver Chelsea degree with 10 males however Maresca tells him to remain on for now.

09:41pm

79 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Buonanotte and George are inches away from finishing a one-two transfer to place the striker one on one with the keeper.

09:40pm

77 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Walsh sprays a move diagonally out to Estevao on the best who cuts in on his left and shoots with energy however straight at Pasveer.

09:39pm

75 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

No outlet for Ajax. It’s only a case of Pasveer whacking it lengthy and alluring Chelsea to come back again at them in swarms.

Pasveer saves brilliantly along with his left arm as a wobbling, pushed shot, dips alarmingly from Estevao.

09:38pm

72 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Chelsea free-kick 30 yards out, left of centre as Ajax abandon all hope of something apart from attempting to maintain the beating down. Estevao pumps it into the wall however Gittens pounces on the rebound and flays in a improbable cross with whip and dip that eludes the lunging Estevao by a gnat’s whisker.

09:34pm

69 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

With Enzo off Estevao comes over to the left to take a nook. Godts cleans up after Acheampong’s header goes backwards. George picks up the items on the best and fizzes a move by the six-yard field and Andrey Santos drags it extensive.

09:31pm

67 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

After prolonged remedy, Pasveer is allowed to proceed and restart the sport with a free-kick.

09:29pm

65 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Pasveer is punished for his braveness with a kick to the pinnacle when he slides out to cease George.

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Reggie Walsh → Lavia.

He can’t be known as Reginald, absolutely?

09:28pm

63 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Defensive chaos at a Chelsea nook on the best that Estevao fizzes to the close to publish. Pasveer decides to come back for it, can’t maintain on to it and his defenders scramble it away, finally blocking Gittens’ shot.

09:25pm

61 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Baas holds off Estevao to win the ball and strides out of the world solely to present the ball away and Acheampong decides to have a shot. This time the deflection is form to Pasveer and loops up excessive for him to catch on his line.

09:24pm

59 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Forgot to notice that Acheampong changed Caicedo shortly after the fifth aim.

09:20pm

57 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Yellow card for a scissoring lunge on Rosa. He protests but it surely’s a nailed on reserving.

09:18pm

55 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Sutalo tackles Estevao who has talent to match the joyful, youthful swagger and was jinking into the field from the best. With Weghorst off, although, Sutalo has nobody to carry the ball upfield and again come Chelsea, in blue waves.

09:16pm

52 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

Napoli’s 6-1 victory over Ajax in 2022 is their heaviest defeat in Europe. They’ve misplaced 3-0 to each Spurs and Liverpool from England so that is already their largest pasting by an English facet.

09:14pm

50 min: Chelsea 5 Ajax 1

All one-way site visitors. Now Lavia tries his luck with a right-foot shot from 25 yards that hits one other Ajax leg and mercifully for them that contact takes it extensive of the left publish.

09:11pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 5 Ajax 1 (George) One other deflected shot, this one off Rosa’s proper foot after Andrey Santos was tackled within the field and the ball sat up properly for George.

09:10pm

46 min: Chelsea 4 Ajax 1

Three adjustments for Chelsea, one for Ajax. With Weghorst off, Godts is moonlighting at centre-forward.

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Andrey Santos → EnzoGeorge → GuiuChalobah → Tosin

Klaassen → Weghorst.

09:08pm

The replays of Tosin kicking Weghorst within the head

Present that he used extreme power and may have had at the least a (second) yellow card.

08:54pm

Half-time: Chelsea 4 Ajax 1

Ajax have been woeful, totally outclassed by Chelsea who’ve been slick and intelligent with their motion. However as quickly as they misplaced Taylor and sacrificed Gloukh they’ve regarded like children taking part in in opposition to males. And their heads have dropped. Huge quarter-hour for Heitinga.

08:51pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 4 Ajax 1 (Estevao, pen) Enzo says: ‘You earned it, you are taking it.’ Prime left nook. Unstoppable. Weghorst is booked for one thing he mentioned earlier than he took it.

08:50pm

Chelsea penalty!

Farcical defending. Baas steps on Estevao’s foot after being turned by the winger.

08:49pm

45+2 min: Chelsea 3 Ajax 1

When Weghorst is fouled once more whereas leaping for the ball and is awarded one other free-kick he’s serenaded with ‘You’re only a s— Andy Carroll’.

08:48pm

45 min: Chelsea 3 Ajax 1

Weghorst had no must make that deal with. Dim resolution to slip in, posiibly testosterone fuelled after Chelsea’s fouls on him.

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5 minutes of stoppage time to come back.

08:48pm

45 min: Chelsea 3 Ajax 1

Weghorst had no must make that deal with. Dim resolution to slip in, posiibly testosterone fuelled after Chelsea’s fouls on him.

5 minutes of stoppage time to come back.

08:46pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 3 Ajax 1 (Enzo, pen) Casually stroked into the side-netting on the best, about midway up.

08:45pm

Sure, a penalty

He did get the ball however solely after his knee pole-axed Enzo, who will take the penalty himself.

08:45pm

Chelsea penalty!?

VAR examine for Weghorst’s sliding deal with on Fernandez.

08:44pm

42 min: Chelsea 2 Ajax 1

Estevao whips a left-foot ball into the field from an inside-right place. Enzo, again to aim to the left of the penalty spot, tries to backheel it in however connects with contemporary air.

08:42pm

40 min: Chelsea 2 Ajax 1

Ajax have a very good cuts man. He’s stemmed the bleeding so efficiently, Weghorst doesn’t want a plaster. And it hasn’t stopped Weghorst’s relish for heading. Or knocks as Fofana is penalsied for nutting the again of his head as they went up for the ball.

08:40pm

38 min: Chelsea 2 Ajax 1

Tosin catches Weghorst throughout the brow along with his boot after each hit the deck when tussling for an aerial ball. It’s a nasty lower. Claret in every single place. Tosin has already been booked. The ref appears pleased that it was unintentional.

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A second earlier than Buonanotte lunged at a superb Gittins cross however couldn’t telescope his leg far sufficient to stab it previous Pasveer.

Ajax have been the higher facet since they scored. Lengthy delay whereas Weghorst is patched up.

08:38pm

34 min: Chelsea 2 Ajax 1

Weghorst has a yank of Lavia’s dreads and Lavia is understandably peeved. However the referee solely provides each a speaking to.

08:33pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 2 Ajax 1 (Weghorst, pen) Jorgensen goes the best means however Weghorst’s low shot into the best of the aim creeps underneath his arm as he dives over it.

08:31pm

29 min: Chelsea 2 Ajax 0

Ajax penalty! For a foul by Tosin on Moro. Moro had knocked the ball previous and Tosin stood on his foot as he tried to hurry previous.

08:28pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 2 Ajax 0 (Caicedo) Speculative, low shot from Caicedo as defenders melted away in entrance of him. He lets fly from 25 yards and it could have been a straightforward save for Pasveer however Sutalo tried to knock it behind and ended up shunning it into the underside proper nook when it had been heading in the direction of the left.

08:27pm

26 min: Chelsea 1 Ajax 0

All Chelsea now with Gittens and Estevao receiving a number of ball out extensive. Buonanotte disrupts a promising assault with some shirt-pulling.

08:25pm

23 min: Chelsea 1 Ajax 0

Ajax followers are going garrity on the id of the person Heitinga is taking off. It’s the Israel midfielder Gloukh who has been their greatest participant to this point this season. They sing his title and whistle on the supervisor. Chelsea followers take part with ‘Sacked within the morning’.

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Mokio → Gloukh.

08:23pm

21 min: Chelsea 1 Ajax 0

Estevao exhibits his abilities to knock the ball over Sutalo who catches him on the ankle painfully. Ajax are lining up a defensive substitution.

08:19pm

GOAL!

Chelsea 1 Ajax 0 (Guiu) Double punishment as Chelsea rating from the next free-kick. Ajax let a fairly errant cross bounce within the field, Fofana heads it throughout and Guiu leaps off the bottom to knock it in along with his studs. The end skips off the turf and beats Pasveer. Not the crispest of finishes however no additional factors for artistry on this sport.

Marc Guiu scores for Chelsea – AFP/GLYN KIRK

08:18pm

17 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

That’s goodnight for Taylor, the Ajax captain. First dibs on the cleaning soap. Despatched off for a leg-breaker. The ref solely needed to see it as soon as on replay to show yellow to crimson.

Kenneth Taylor is distributed off for a reckless foul on Facundo Buonanotte – PA Wire/Adam Davy

08:17pm

15 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Yellow card for Taylor whose foot, after successful a deal with on Estevao, slides in and catches Buonanotte on the ankle along with his studs.

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VAR examine. The ref is off to the monitor and can seemingly improve it to crimson.

08:15pm

13 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Enzo spots a Guiu run and slots the proper 40-yard move into his stride down the best of the field however Pasveer is not any slouch and sprints out to shut him down and block his stabbed effort.

Fofana wins a defensive header – PA/Adam Davy

08:12pm

11 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Chelsea nook on the best that’s flicked out for one on the left by McConnell’s near-post defender. Hato commits a foul within the field when the sequel comes into the world. Chelsea haven’t discovered any rhythm but or applicable tempo. All a bit laboured.

08:11pm

10 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Pretty piece of talent from Gittens to entice the ball along with his again to deliver the ball down from between his shoulders when Enzo sprayed a protracted proper to left diagonal. However he was offside. Doesn’t make it any much less breathtaking, although.

08:09pm

9 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Gloukh dribbles by the inside-left channel into the field, twisting and turning like a twisty-turny factor with feints and good management till Chelsea pull numbers again to squeeze him out.

08:08pm

7 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Fofana is alert when his keeper, Jorgensen, is a wee bit gradual off his line to shut down a move supposed to place Taylor by the inside-right channel, exploiting Chelsea’s excessive line.

08:06pm

5 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Rosa provides it again to Pasveer and Ajax sweep the ball round for an honest spell however can’t actually get out of their half till Caicedo controls a dink by Godts along with his elbow and Ajax are awarded a free-kick.

08:05pm

3 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Ajax, who’re sitting pretty deep, absorb some Chelsea probing after which Moro goes on a run up the best. Hato and Gittens strip him of the ball and he’s knocked to the bottom, interesting for the foul earlier than he landed. However the referee waves play on.

08:03pm

1 min: Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

It’s raining on the Bridge as Ajax kick off, attacking the Shed. They work it again all the best way to their field for Pasveer, the veteran making his first look of the season, who whacks it lengthy. The defence offers with it.

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The Ajax followers are making a racket. Visiting groups do not need the plutocratic wealth of Premier League groups however their followers are all the time energetic and raucous.

07:58pm

Crank up the Liquidator

The groups are popping out of the tunnel, Chelsea in royal blue, Ajax have ditched their sensible house package for the third strip which appears to be beige, with blue socks to distinguish from Chelsea’s dinky white almonds

07:54pm

Chelsea royalty on their greatest participant

07:47pm

Enzo Maresca on his line-up

We’ve to guard a number of the gamers with so many video games now and others must play video games. Essential to have Enzo again. The main focus is simply to attempt to win the sport. It’s troublesome to organize for the sport and take into consideration aim distinction. The main focus is on successful the sport after which if we will get objectives. The aim is to complete with 11 gamers, no crimson playing cards[he says with a twinkle].

07:41pm

Might to December

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In the meantime for Ajax, 41-year-old Remko Pasveer begins in aim. He’s greater than twice as previous as 4 of Chelsea’s beginning XI. Pasveer (at 41 years and 348 days) turns into the third-oldest participant in Champions League historical past, after Marco Ballotta (43 years, 252 days) and Gianluigi Buffon (42 years, 315 days). Pasveer is a shock inclusion after first-choice Vitezslav Jaros was dropped by head coach Johnny Heitinga. He’s additionally 20 years older than team-mate James McConnell, the Newcastle-born midfielder on mortgage from Liverpool.

And the oldest outfield participant? Our previous buddy Pepe, who was 41 years and 15 days when he performed for Porto in opposition to Arsenal in March 2024.

07:32pm

Lavia the only real survivor

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The Chelsea group choice has brought about a variety of debate – and shock. That is the Champions League and, but, head coach Enzo Maresca has made no fewer than 10 adjustments. Ajax are nowhere close to the footballing energy their title nonetheless conjures up however that’s a variety of adjustments and the choice to play Moises Caicedo, it seems, at right-back can be elevating just a few eyebrows. Caicedo is arguably one of the best midfielder within the Premier League however has by no means actually lower it at full-back. If this goes mistaken for Maresca – and Chelsea ought to nonetheless be sturdy sufficient – questions can be requested.

07:21pm

Enzo Maresca speaks to TNT Sports activities

It’s early, we nonetheless have six video games to play. The primary two had been difficult however this can be a competitors the place all video games can be troublesome.

Once you be a part of Chelsea as a participant or supervisor you must take care of having to win video games. There may be all the time noise, all the time one thing you’ll be able to study.

It’s a lot better to be on the bench, shut high the gamers, near the pitch [rather than banished to the stands as he was on Saturday].

They’re an enormous membership, they gained this competitors many occasions, they need to win this sport and it’s going to be a troublesome one.

07:17pm

Chelsea attempting to emulate Ajax’s 1995 classic

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If Chelsea’s doubters are in want of tangible proof {that a} youth coverage can be a significant trophy-winning undertaking, then the go to of Ajax within the Champions League would possibly jog just a few recollections.

The group that can tackle at Stamford Bridge are a pale imitation of the nice Ajax sides of the previous. However the Dutch membership’s historical past offers some proof that trusting younger gamers can work spectacularly properly.

Ajax are the youngest-ever winners of the due to their 1994-95 group that surprised Europe with a 1-0 success over AC Milan within the remaining. The typical age of the beginning XI was 24 and 364 days, and Patrick Kluivert was aged 18 years and 327 days when he stepped off the substitutes’ bench to attain the successful aim.

07:13pm

Your groups in black and white

Chelsea  Jorgensen; Caicedo, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Hato; Fernández, Lavía; Buonanotte, Estevao, Bynoe-Gittens; Guiu. Substitutes Sanchez, Merrick, Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Santos, Chalobah, James, George, Acheampong, Walsh, Garnacho, Kavuma-McQueen.

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Ajax  Pasveer; Rosa, Itakura, Sutalo, Baas; McConnell, Gloukh, Taylor; Moro, Weghorst, Godts. Substitutes Jaros, Heerkens, Gaaei, Regeer, Edvardsen, Klaassen, Konadu, Mokio, Fitz-Jim, Alders, Bounida.

Referee Felix Zwayer (Germany)

06:54pm

Ajax group information

Johnny Heitinga makes 4 adjustments, two on the again, one in aim, one on the best wing: Remko Pasveer, the 41-year-old back-up keeper, replaces Vitezslav Jaros, Ko Itakura replaces Anton Gaeei, James McConnell is in for Jorthy Mokio and Raul Moro for Oliver Edvardsen.

06:47pm

Chelsea group information

Enzo Maresca makes 10 adjustments. Solely Roméo Lavia, who was hooked at half-time on the Metropolis floor, stays. Clearly tells us what he thinks of Ajax and/or his priorities:

06:35pm

These two have met solely as soon as earlier than on the Bridge

And it was , when Reece James, now Chelsea’s membership captain, scored his first aim for the membership:

06:03pm

Betting on the match?

Commercial | GambleAware | 18+ Betting on the soccer in the present day? Check out these chosen by Telegraph Media Group

06:00pm

Preview: Down the drain

Good night and welcome to stay protection of Chelsea’s match in opposition to Ajax within the Champions League which, after Tuesday’s fixtures, begins with the house facet in nineteenth and the guests all-time low in thirty sixth of the league desk. Little surprise, then, that Ajax’s hopes of scraping into the highest 24 to delay their marketing campaign are reliant on successful tonight however they’re in dreadful kind away from house with solely attracts within the Eredivisie to this point and added to their 2-0 house defeat by Inter within the first spherical of fixtures with a 4-0 gubbing by Maresille on the Vélodrome final outing on this competitors.

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Within the three years since Erik ten Hag left them for Manchester United, the took in additional than £200m in participant gross sales in 2022, £160m in 2023 and £70m in 2024, reinvesting roughly half of it, most of which has gone down the drain. They’re left with a group reliant on the veterans Davy Klaassen, Wout Weghorst and Steven Berghuis, the final of whom is injured tonight, and arrive on the Bridge with Johnny Heitinga, their seventh supervisor since Ten Hag (together with Heitinga’s caretaker stint in 2023), having suffered his first house home defeat on Saturday when AZ ran out 2-0 winners.

Chelsea are in ruder well being after their 1-0 over Benfica was adopted up by the 2-1 victory over Liverpool and Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest. They’d opened their marketing campaign by dropping 3-1 to Bayern Munich however have a reasonably comfy draw with Qarabag and Pafos to come back in addition to Barcelona and that final spherical journey to Napoli and a reunion with Antonio Conte. Enzo Maresca remains to be with out the injured Cole Palmer, Lian Delap, Dario Essugo, Benoît Badiashile and Levi Colwill whereas Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended pending the decision of his doping take a look at and Joao Pedro lacking due to that late, daft crimson card picked up in opposition to Benfica.

Ajax financed their 4 eight-figure summer time signings by promoting Jorrel Hato to Chelsea however considered one of them, the Denmark ahead Kasper Dolberg, is injured and he sits this one out with Berghuis and Branco van der Boomen. Raúl Moro, Oscar Gloukh and Ko Itakura,  the opposite sizeable purchases, are all within the squad.