Chelsea’s striker issue opens the door for young talent, but will anybody take advantage?

Chelsea have the unenviable task of a nearly 3,000-mile journey from Stamford Bridge to the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday when they face Qarabag in the Champions League. It’s a place Copenhagen have fallen before, but for Blues boss Enzo Maresca the challenge of managing lots of travel with the demands of the Premier League may also present an opportunity for the team’s younger players.

The Blues were able to capitalize on this last season in the Conference League, but with the competition resuming, Maresca had to stick to his core team in the Champions League. While Qarabag is not a team he can overlook, this should be a time where the Blues can rotate and still get all three points.

How to watch Chelsea vs Qarabag, odds

• Date: Wednesday November 5 | Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
• Location: Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium — Baku, Azerbaijan
• Live broadcast: Paramount+
• Odds: Qarabag +800; Draw +440; Chelsea-310

Chelsea’s attackers had a great start to the season, but without Cole Palmerthe attack subsided. Joao Perdo has been the group’s best player with six goals in all competitions, but when he can play alongside another striker it is important to keep an eye on those behind him.

Performance of Chelsea attackers in all competitions

The 19-year-old duo, Tyrique George and Marc Guiu, stands out here for their production in limited minutes. Guiu almost didn’t make the team this season as he was loaned to Sunderlandbut he was recalled when Nicholas Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day in September. This match could be an opportunity for one of them to start and show Maresca why they should be in the team regularly.

Liam Delap has had a solid Club World Cup, but is still out with a hamstring injury. Both George and Guiu were given limited minutes last season, but they are already pushing for more as the Blues look to regain the Champions League places in the Premier League. Based on production, George should be slightly ahead of Guiu to start Wednesday, but both pose good problems for Maresca.

Chelsea’s search for a nine has been agonizing since Diego Costa terrorized defenses at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues could well have their strikers of the future on the roster if George and Guiu can use limited minutes to their advantage.