Chelsea’s Convention League journey continues on Thursday with a visit to Greece to face Panathinaikos.

As is the case with any and all opposition on this competitors, Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites, however this Panathinaikos facet consists of various acquainted faces which have the potential to trigger important issues for what’s going to seemingly be a second-string Chelsea setup.

Listed here are 5 Panathinaikos gamers Chelsea followers want to concentrate on forward of the sport.

Filip Djuricic is a reputation which can be acquainted to followers of European soccer. The 32-year-old Serbian worldwide has hung out in Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and England, however took his skills to Greece in 2023.

The lanky midfielder has been handed a task as a left winger this season and has instantly seen a rise in his aim numbers. He leads Panathinaikos in each objectives and assists in home motion and is undoubtedly the hazard man for his facet.

With each Reece James and Malo Gusto set for rests and younger Josh Acheampong frozen out over a contract dispute, Chelsea will most likely discipline an unnatural right-back on Thursday, seemingly Axel Disasi. This match-up has the potential to be a troublesome one.

Those that watched the 2022 World Cup will keep in mind the emergence of midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who dazzled for Morocco en path to the semi-final. The thrill surrounding him was enormous, however his story hasn’t performed out as anticipated.

Ounahi joined Marseille in 2023 however failed to face out and was loaned to Panathinaikos earlier this summer season in an try and rebuild the hype he created on the largest stage of all of them.

A sensible dribbler with a pleasant eye for a move, all of us noticed what Ounahi is able to on his day. Chelsea should hope that day isn’t Thursday.

Panathinaikos broke a two-decade previous switch file to signal Tete for round €6.5m this summer season. The Brazilian winger was on the books at Galatasaray however is finest recognized for his time with Shakhtar Donetsk, both facet of spells with Lyon and Leicester Metropolis.

Nonetheless solely 24 years previous, Tete is an electrical dribbler who has shortly settled into life in Greece, racking up 5 objectives in all competitions to ascertain himself as a serious risk.

Tete performs most of his minutes on the precise wing and can subsequently be the direct opponent for Renato Veiga, whose thrilling kind throughout the early weeks of his Chelsea profession could possibly be examined right here.

Manchester United cashed in on Facundo Pellistri this summer season, with Panathinaikos paying round €6m in the direction of the top of what was an costly summer season for the Greek facet.

Chelsea followers could already be acquainted with 22-year-old Pellistri, who was on the books at United for 4 years and made 25 appearances for the Crimson Devils. He has expertise in each the Europa League and Champions League to his title.

Pellistri is seeking to reignite a stalling profession, and there’s maybe no better alternative for him to try this this season than with a stand-out exhibiting in opposition to Chelsea.

A sensible pick-up on a free switch, Nemanja Maksimovic ended a seven-year keep in Spain’s high flight to affix Panathinaikos this summer season, instantly injecting some expertise in midfield.

A box-to-box expertise with a better eye for the defensive facet of issues, Maksimovic has performed in opposition to a few of the recreation’s high gamers throughout his time in La Liga and can undoubtedly be relied upon to assist Panathinaikos stay with Chelsea’s huge names.

If Maresca rolls out his cup midfield of Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor and younger Cesare Casadei, he’ll have to maintain a eager eye on how they cope with the powerful battle with Maksimovic.

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