Ghana’s Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Josh Acheampong named in Chelsea’s starting lineup for Astana clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has included two Ghanaians in his starting lineup for Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League match against Astana.

The two players are midfielder Samuel Rak-Sakyi and defender Josh Acheampong, both of whom will be eager to make an impression and earn more first-team opportunities.

Maresca also confirmed on Wednesday that the club is making headway with a contract renewal for Acheampong, following months of negotiations at an impasse.

Rak-Sakyi, 19, and Acheampong, 18, have both represented England at youth level but are still eligible to play for Ghana, their country of birth, at senior international level.

Meanwhile, midfielder Cesare Casadei, who has played in all four Conference League group games so far, will miss the match due to suspension following his red card against Heidenheim last month.

The match is set to kick off at 3:30 pm GMT at the Ortalyq Stadium in Kazakhstan.

Starting XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall, Chukwuemeka; Neto, Guiu, George

Subs: Bergstrom, Merrick, Dyer, Vale, Olise, Ampah, Murray-Campbell, Wilson, Mheuka