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| Dujon Sterling |
Joe Edwards’s side can secure their progress from the group stage with victory in Azerbaijan and, if a Blues win is combined with a draw between Atletico Madrid and Roma in the other Group C game, the two-time winners will book their place in the last-16 without the need for a play-off tie, a fate that awaits the group runners-up.
Many of the Under-19 squad were involved in a 3-2 victory at Tottenham for our development squad at the weekend, their first win at that age group since August, while Dujon Sterling and Ethan Ampadu travelled to the Hawthorns with the first team, the latter named on the bench for the fourth consecutive Premier League game.
Sterling has spent much of his recent time with Antonio Conte’s men, deputising in the injury absence of Victor Moses. The defender made his debut in the Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, replacing Davide Zappacosta in the 76th minute, and this week signed a new four-and-a-half year contract at the club.
‘I’m over the moon to sign a new deal at Chelsea,’ Sterling tells the official Chelsea website in the build-up to our midweek European action. ‘I think the club have rewarded me for my performances in the last year, winning the FA Youth Cup and doing well.’
The teenager, who signed for our Academy as an Under-8 after coming through the development centre programme, reflects fondly on his maiden first team appearance.
‘It was probably the best day of my life so far,’ he says. ‘Coming on at Stamford Bridge was an unbelievable feeling, the fans were great and the recognition from the crowd and fans on social media afterwards was so positive.
‘Working regularly with the first team has been a good experience for me. It’s a stepping stone to help me become comfortable working with these players week in, week out, which is my ultimate goal. Victor [Moses] and Davide [Zappacosta] are always talking to me, giving me good advice. Everyone just tells me to keep expressing myself, don’t be shy and keep doing the stuff that has got me noticed.’
Sterling was a UEFA Youth League winner as a schoolboy in 2015/16 and has featured in all four of our previous outings this campaign. The 18-year-old sees the competition as an important transition from youth team football to the senior game.
‘Losing at home to Roma was a disappointment but to go away and beat them convincingly, even though it was only a one-goal winning margin, showed that we can bounce back,' he explains. 'The competition gives you the chance to play against the top elite players around Europe – the dream is to play in the Champions League and the Youth League is the step that can help you get there.’
Manager Edwards has been impressed with how our Azerbaijani opponents have competed in their debut season in the competition, winning 1-0 away at Atletico Madrid three weeks ago to hand them their first group points. He acknowledges that result will give them confidence but believes their approach will be similar to our meeting on matchday one. The Blues eventually ran out 5-0 winners back in September but the contest was goalless at the interval and Qarabag enjoyed some success in stifling our attacking threat.
‘We were disappointed after the first game not to score more goals but we know we have to show a bit more respect to Qarabag now after their win away in Madrid last time out, which was a big achievement for a club of their stature,’ notes Edwards.
‘In the game last time they came and tried to frustrate us, sat behind the ball, broke the game up and there were a lot of fouls. They beat Atletico but played similar in that game and were just clinical with one of the few breaks they had so we know what to expect from them and we’re prepared for it.
‘Our team selection and game plan will reflect how we need to counter that approach from them and hopefully we can. We can get qualification with a win and could even win the group if the other result goes our way so we want to put in a good performance.’
The match takes place at Karabakh Stadium, the first team ground, in Baku today (Wednesday), kick-off 12noon UK time. There will be updates throughout on our official Twitter @chelseafc
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