After a fourth win in four group phase games, Chelsea can start planning for the knockout rounds of the Europa Conference League.
An automatic place in the last 16 is within reach with two more matches against Astana in Kazakhstan (12 December) and at home to Shamrock Rovers (19 December) to come.
Enzo Maresca left Cole Palmer out of Chelsea’s squad for the group phase to manage his workload. Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia were left out for the same reasons.
Will the Chelsea boss re-register Palmer for the knockout rounds on 6 February when squads can be re-submitted?
A European trophy would certainly be a decent return for what has so far been a positive first season in charge for boss Maresca.
But are Chelsea capable of winning the Europa Conference League without risking Palmer?
Christopher Nkunku took his tally to five goals in four group phase matches when he set Chelsea on the way to their latest European win against Heidenheim on Thursday.
Mykhailo Mudryk has not managed a Premier League goal since 11 May yet the Ukraine forward now has three in Europe this season after sealing the points in Germany.
Chelsea have 18 goals in four Conference League group phase matches but the deeper they go, the tougher the opposition.
The sight of Palmer playing for Chelsea in Europe’s third tier club competition will surely only strengthen their chances of reaching the final in Poland next May.
