Five players who must take their Carabao Cup chance | OneFootball

Carabao Cup action continues this week with several of the sides in European competition beginning their campaigns.

The competition often provides a chance for the top teams to rotate in the early rounds and there are a number of players who will be itching to impress amid opportunity.

Five players who must take their Carabao Cup chance

Mykhailo Mudryk – Chelsea

Mykhailo Mudryk is in danger of becoming the forgotten man at Chelsea. The Ukrainian’s underwhelming time at Chelsea has seen him fall out of favour this season.

Summer arrivals in attacking areas have increased competition for a place in Enzo Maresca’s plans and Mudryk has done little to convince he should be starting games. The 23-year-old has featured for just 61 minutes in the Premier League this season and was hauled off at half-time during his only start.

Chelsea take on fourth-tier Barrow on Tuesday evening, perhaps the ideal fixture for Mudryk to find his form.

“I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence,” Enzo Maresca said on Mudryk at his pre-match press conference.

“Misha is Misha, you have to accept the way he is. Hopefully, he can get minutes and do better.”

Curtis Jones – Liverpool

Curtis Jones could make his first start of the season when Liverpool host West Ham in the Carabao Cup this week.

The midfielder has been eased back into action after injury, making substitute appearances against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth in recent weeks. In his absence, Jones has watched on as Ryan Gravenberch has capitalised on opportunity with the Dutchman impressing in a deeper role after Liverpool failed to sign a specialist defensive midfielder.

Jones has flirted with becoming an automatic selection for Liverpool over the last two seasons and this appears a big season for the academy product. The academy product, who will turn 24 in January, has not started more than 14 games in a Premier League season.

Raheem Sterling – Arsenal

Arsenal added to their forward line with the loan arrival of Raheem Sterling on deadline day. An opportunistic signing, Mikel Arteta sought a reunion with the player after he was informed he did not feature in Chelsea’s plans.

Arteta knows Sterling well from his time on the coaching staff at Manchester City and he will hope to coax out the form that saw the 29-year-old score 131 goals in 339 appearances for the Citizens.

He’s featured for just 27 minutes over two substitute appearances since signing for the Gunners and will be targeting a first start when Arsenal host Bolton on Wednesday.

Matheus Nunes – Manchester City

Opportunity awaits for Matheus Nunes, with Rodri’s season-ending injury likely to open up minutes in the Manchester City midfield.

It’s unwanted circumstances, but provides Nunes with a chance to stake his claim for more regular involvement.

The Portugal international has featured for just 20 minutes in the Premier League this season following an underwhelming debut campaign after arriving from Wolves. Nunes has talent, though he has not always looked a natural fit for Guardiola’s midfield.

Ross Barkley – Aston Villa

Ross Barkley returned to Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, agreeing a cut-price move to the club after a career renaissance at Luton Town last season.

The 30-year-old is yet to start a game since his summer arrival but showed his quality off the bench in the win over Wolves at the weekend.

His ease in possession and immaculate distribution have helped steady some performances for Villa late on and he will hope for a chance to impress from the start this week. Villa take on Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

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