Charly Musonda enjoyed a dream full debut for Chelsea alongside his idol Eden Hazard.
Musonda, wearing Hazard’s former shirt number of 17, scored on his full Chelsea debut as the Premier League champions beat Nottingham Forest 5-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
A good night for @ChelseaFC, and a good night for @mbatshuayi!
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hSNcDEBp5V— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) September 20, 2017
The 20-year-old Belgian, who has had a spell on loan at Real Betis in LaLiga, told Chelsea TV: “It was amazing for me to score my first goal. Fantastic start, dream debut. I’m very happy.
“It was worth the wait. It was amazing for me to get on the pitch and play with world class players, especially Eden Hazard.
“I’ve been dreaming of playing with him since I was 15. It’s great to be in this team. To be able to play was amazing.”
A moment to savour for Charly Musonda…???? pic.twitter.com/aCphGfYsfb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 21, 2017
Musonda had known he would be included for “a few weeks” as head coach Antonio Conte made Ethan Ampadu the first Chelsea player born this millennium.
Ampadu, who signed from Exeter in the summer and was included in Wales’ most recent senior squad, turned 17 last week and signed his first professional contract with Chelsea on Monday.
Ampadu said: “Being a Chelsea fan you always dream of making your debut at Stamford Bridge.
Here's Ethan Ampadu in action! We're into the final 10 minutes here at the Bridge. 4-0. #CHENOT pic.twitter.com/EHR7sg7p9x
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 20, 2017
“It was a target, something I was always aiming for. When I first joined I didn’t have it in my head that I was going to play this soon, but it’s something to work for.”
Ampadu is a central defender or central midfield player who admired Didier Drogba and John Terry growing up. Terry left after 22 years only last season.
The Blues play at Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday and will have Pedro available following a leg injury, Conte said. David Luiz is suspended for the second of three matches following his dismissal against Arsenal.
David Luiz was sent off against Arsenal (Jonathan Brady/PA)
But the Brazil defender is expected to play at Atletico Madrid next Wednesday despite sustaining a broken wrist against the Gunners when he clattered into the advertising hoardings.
The build-up to the Atletico tie is set to be dominated by an absent Chelsea player, Diego Costa.
The Brazil-born Spain striker is agitating for a return to Atletico and is yet to report back to Chelsea following the summer break. Reports in Spain suggest a deal is close for Costa to go back to the club he left in July 2014.
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