Chelsea fans expressed concern on social media as several first-team stars failed to make the squad for the crucial Premier League game against Brentford.

With Sunday’s game coming just days after a young Blues side traveled to Kazakhstan to beat Astana 3-1 in the Conference League, fans were expecting a strong matchday squad to be assembled for the game against Brentford would be.

However, impressive young players Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George were named to a rather inexperienced Chelsea bench at Stamford Bridge just days later.

Players such as Romeo Lavia, Joao Felix and Benoit Badiashile were not named in the squad for the game against Brentford despite not traveling to the game on Thursday evening.

With Pedro Neto suspended and Mykhailo Mudryk unavailable due to illness, as Maresca previously confirmed, Chelsea fans were not expecting any further absences as they looked to reduce the gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Chelsea head coach Maresca has provided an update on two of his Blues stars but did not discuss Felix’s absence.

Regarding Badiashile and Lavia, Maresca confirmed: “Benoit had a problem during training yesterday. At the moment we don’t know how long he will be out.”

“As for Romeo, he can be available for the next game.”

Chelsea will be hoping to have their players back when they face Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League in midweek, but this could be another opportunity to feature the young players.

With Acheampong making progress in his contract negotiations, the youngster has the chance to impress during the absence of Wesley Fofana and Reece James, with the duo expected to be sidelined until the new year.

It remains to be seen when Chelsea’s stars will return, but with games getting closer and closer, Maresca will have to use his squad as the Blues look to compete on all fronts.