Enzo Maresca has vowed the likes of Jadon Sancho and Mikhailo Mudryk will get plenty of minutes for Chelsea in the coming weeks after impressing in the 2-0 win over Heidenheim.
Sancho played a starring role in both of the Blues' goals on Thursday, with his driving run helping set up Christopher Nkunku for the opener before teeing up Mudryk to seal a fourth win in the competition.
Neither player has been a regular for the Blues in the Premier League, with Maresca mixing up his options between Premier League duties and domestic and European competition ventures.
Sancho has managed just 312 minutes of top-flight action this season, while Mudryk has only been used for 146 minutes across his seven Premier League appearances, despite notching six goal involvements in the Europa Conference League (three goals, three assists) so far.
But as the English football calendar reaches a busy festive schedule, Chelsea boss Maresca said both players will get their fair share of action.
He told a news conference: "I said since we started, Jadon is very important for us. He has to be fit, mentally and physically and he is going to help us a lot.
"Unfortunately, we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing tonight how important he is. We need that quality in the last third against a low block. He is going to help us a lot.
"He's (Mudryk) one of the players I just mentioned. It's difficult to find players tonight that didn't play well. We need all of them taking the chances when they get the chances.
"They all want to play more; they all deserve to play and are working fantastic. We are going to share minutes in the next games because we have so many games and it's the normal thing to do."
Four wins from four! #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/DAJ6BxXktM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 28, 2024
Chelsea lead the league phase of the competition and are on the brink of the last 16. Maresca praised the mentality his side showed to stay perfect in the competition.
"It was a very good challenge for all the aspects, they were high pressing, intense, but no matter what they do, it's important we are ready," he added.
"It's important to continue with that mentality."