Pedro Neto hint, Reece James’ successor, and three other key takeaways from Chelsea training ahead of the Heidenheim match.

Enzo Maresca has been preparing his squad for Chelsea’s upcoming clash against Heidenheim in the Conference League. The match, set to take place at the Voith-Arena on Thursday night, offers both teams a shot at the top spot in the group.

Chelsea comes into the game following a 2-1 win over Leicester City, while Heidenheim is struggling after a heavy 5-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and a six-game winless streak in the Bundesliga. The Blues, unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches, will aim to capitalize on the German side’s poor form. Meanwhile, football.london has identified five key observations from Chelsea’s latest training session:

1. Maresca drops Chilwell hint

Ben Chilwell was seen in training, but his involvement remains uncertain as he wore a white bib—a possible indication he might not start. Levi Colwill, who also wore a white bib, is unlikely to feature after playing against Leicester. Renato Veiga, a regular in the Conference League lineup, is expected to retain his spot.

2. Lavia and Jackson embrace key roles

Romeo Lavia stood out in an orange bib, possibly designated as the ‘magic man’ in a training drill, while Nicolas Jackson wore green. The ‘magic man’ plays a crucial role in possession drills, emphasizing movement and transitional play. Lavia could feature in Thursday’s lineup, anchoring the midfield, while Jackson may be rested after starting at the weekend.

3. Pedro Neto absence raises questions

Pedro Neto was notably absent from training after missing Chelsea’s weekend victory due to a minor injury sustained on international duty. His availability for the Heidenheim match remains unclear.

4. Josh Acheampong returns to action

Josh Acheampong resumed training with the first team despite recent uncertainty over his contract. The 18-year-old defender, under contract until 2026, has been sidelined this season, but Chelsea remains keen to secure his future as part of their commitment to retaining top academy talent.

5. Youngsters step up

With some senior players missing, Maresca included several U21 players in training. Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Shim Mhueka, and Sam Rak-Sakyi were given the opportunity to showcase their skills and impress the coaching staff.

As Chelsea gears up for the match, these developments underline the mix of squad rotation, youth inclusion, and tactical preparations shaping their approach against Heidenheim.