Chelsea wonderkid named in squad for the first time and fans are just realising who he’s related to
Enzo Maresca’s team has been in exceptional form, securing victories in all four of their UEFA Conference League group stage matches to date. Over the course of these games, they have demonstrated remarkable attacking prowess, scoring an impressive total of 18 goals.
The Italian head coach has strategically chosen to rest key players such as Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia, focusing on managing their workloads effectively. Instead, Maresca has frequently given opportunities to players who have not had significant playing time in the Premier League, ensuring a balanced rotation within his squad.
This strategy has also paved the way for the inclusion of younger talent. For the upcoming match against the Kazakh team Astana, Maresca has named 11 academy players in his squad, offering them the chance to experience the intensity of European football. This reflects his commitment to integrating youth players into the senior setup.
While the traveling squad heading to Kazakhstan has not yet been confirmed, the Daily Mail reports that these 11 academy players have officially been registered with UEFA for the competition. This registration allows them to be eligible to participate in the tournament as List B players, a category with no numerical limitations. List B includes players born on or after January 1, 2003, who have been continuously eligible to represent the club for at least two years since turning 15.
One standout addition is Richard Olise, a versatile 20-year-old right-back who signed a new contract with the club earlier this year in May. Last season, Olise featured in 10 matches for Chelsea’s U21 side and also gained experience in the UEFA Youth League. Capable of playing both as a right-back and a center-back, Olise was born in London and has represented England at the U18 level.
Richard is the younger brother of Michael Olise, the former Crystal Palace star who transferred to Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window. Like his brother, Michael was born in London, but he represents France internationally due to his French-Algerian heritage and upbringing in France. Michael has made a strong start at Bayern Munich, contributing five goals and five assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances. If Richard is selected to play against Astana on Thursday, it is likely that Michael will be keeping a close eye on his younger brother’s progress from afar.
