The academy won't have it easy
Chelsea had only pride to play for in their final group match but looking at their starting XI, you wouldn't necessarily think it. Thiago Silva was afforded a rest but otherwise it was arguably the strongest team Graham Potter could pick against Dinamo Zagreb. Given Potter's assessment of the academy players who had spent time training with the first time, it always seemed unlikely a member of the development team would start, but perhaps they could have filled out the bench?
He said: "As I said before I don't think it's a time to be using young players just for the sake of it. I think we have to be competitive and respectful of the competition. There are still teams looking for points for their own qualification. So from our perspective we have try and pick a team we think can win the game.
"We've used a lot of young players like you said, a lot of them have been impressive, I like the character, I like the personality and it's been an important part of how we've started here at Chelsea to get closer to the academy guys and to get to know them."
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings as Denis Zakaria delivers on debut, Chilwell misfortune, Sterling promise
However, when the team dropped ahead of the match, only one Champions League list-B player made the cut - Armando Broja. It was more surprising he had to settle for a place on the bench himself, and with the Blues four spots short of filling their quota, it's clear that Chelsea's youth involvement will only happen when Potter believes it is warranted - not a token experience.
Denis Zakaria can play
The Swiss international's debut has been a long time coming and given the similarities in his arrival to Saul Niguez's a year previous, there was a degree of pressure on Zakaria to prove otherwise. Ahead of the game, Potter explained what he hoped to see.
He said: "He's a big powerful boy who can break up attacks and also join the attack himself. He's been working hard behind the scenes supporting the team so it's nice to see him play tonight. Hopefully he'll do well and give us competition there."
Zakaria lived up to the billing at both ends of the pitch, showing his ability to cover ground and track back to win possession before adding a first half strike to upon his account for the Blues. His tenacity continued into the second period until he had to be replaced in an unfortunate end to his debut. The issue didn't look too serious as he made his way around the pitch unassisted but he did go straight down the tunnel rather than to the bench. However, it appears the 25-year-old was merely suffering from cramp rather than something more problematic.
Willing to risk suspensions
It was perhaps a surprise to see Mason Mount start, even in such a strong team against Zagreb with the England international just one booking away from being suspended for the first leg of the last-16. It was an even bigger surprise to see Mount complete 90 minutes ahead of a massive game against Arsenal.
With Chelsea 2-1 up and controlling the game with 27 minutes to go, Potter looked to freshen his outfit up and brought on another at-risk player in Conor Gallagher. It was a busy cameo for the midfielder, who was also on two cards coming into the game, but he escaped without adding to his tally.
Only Marc Cucurella and Hakim Ziyech were outfield players who did not feature from the bench come full time, so the Blues boss had limited other options who to bring on, but the opportunity was there to play it safe. It does not appear that crossed Potter's mind and earning a win was the entire focus. One game at a time.
READ NEXT:
What Denis Zakaria did after impressive Chelsea debut as Champions League curse strikes again
Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb highlights as Denis Zakaria scores debut goal
Every word Graham Potter said on Dinamo vs Chelsea, Chilwell, Zakaria, Sterling and more
Graham Potter has Reece James solution as frustrated Chelsea duo leave him with no choice
Chelsea's next four fixtures compared to Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham with two top four deciders
