Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has talked up the importance of integrating the club's prospects into the senior squad having handed Tyrique George his first start against FC Noah.
Having witnessed the Blues score four times in wins over Gent and Panathinaikos, Maresca experimented with a more attack-minded 4-1-4-1 formation in their third Conference League fixture on Thursday night.
Although Chelsea were fortunate not to concede during the early minutes, the move paid off as the Premier League giants recorded an emphatic 8-0 triumph over the Armenian side.
After four substitute outings in cup competitions earlier in the campaign, 18-year-old George was provided with his first competitive start having come through the academy ranks.
The teenager was unfortunate not to have an assist to his name with Joao Felix missing from close range, yet it was another encouraging showing from a player who is faced with the task of competing with a wide array of attacking options at Stamford Bridge.
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What did Maresca say on George?
George was not the only prospect to be handed minutes by Maresca with fellow academy player Sam Rak-Sakyi given his debut as a 79th-minute substitute and former Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu starting and scoring in his 45-minute outing.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Maresca commented on the integration of George, acknowledging that the Conference League is the ideal platform for the aforementioned trio to continue to make the transition into the senior squad.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: "I think he (George) was very good. I said before the game, probably with young players, sometimes it is better to tell them the day before so they can prepare but with some of them, tell them at the end so they don't get nervous.
"The plan with Tyrique, we knew already he was going to start but I told him just two hours before the game. I think he was very good.
"Also, Sam Rak-Sakyi was very good. I'm very happy for Marc Guiu, in the end he scored. He hasn't got many minutes with us this season but he is working hard. They are all 18, 17, 19 - it's important."
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How are Chelsea looking at Conference League halfway stage?
With maximum points and a goal difference of +13, Chelsea have effectively already guaranteed a place in the top 24 with three matches remaining.
Away fixtures to Heidenheim and Astana of Germany and Kazakhstan are next up for the West Londoners before they conclude the League Phase with a home encounter versus Irish side Shamrock Rovers.
Heidenheim are one of five other clubs who also possess a 100% record at this stage, potentially leading to Maresca to select a more experienced side against a team that also sit in 12th position in the Bundesliga table and sixth-best defensive record in the division.
Darren Plant
