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In the kind of cold where the mist from every breath fogs the laptop screen, and fingers refuse to bend so they can dance on keys – warmth was found in cups of black tea with lemon wedges and a redux of Chelsea’s 2019 team. And just like that rollercoaster year, one that offered exhilaration and the promise of future world beaters, Cobham’s incredible production line was the best part of the evening. And none rose to the challenge more admirably than the man brought in from the cold and thrown into an even colder place.

Josh Acheampong’s contract impasse was only one of many intriguing narratives leading into the fixture. While Maresca hinted at positive development, one wasn’t quite sure if the ice would thaw in time. But fortunately for everyone aside from Astana, he slotted in comfortably where Reece should be and Gusto has struggled to – a 6’4 behemoth who eats up ground and gives defenders second thoughts about trying to knock it into space. There was a surge in the first half where he effortlessly waltzed past three Astana defenders to breach the box, before blasting it over the near post.

So good was he that Astana’s left side of Camara and Vorogovskiy could not make any inroads. Intuitive positioning from the 18-year-old saw him present wherever and whenever Astana tried to release someone behind the backline. Getting him to sign on the dotted line may be the best bit of business Chelsea do in the January window.

Tyrique George, starting on the left for the first time in his senior career, looked every bit the threat he looks at youth level. Even in a tundra like cold where hamstrings would rather break than tear, there was fearlessness in his take-ons – regularly infiltrating the box, looking to find that cutback or unleash a shot. He ended the game with the most penalty box touches from a player on either side, with 12. There was a moment in the second half where he effortlessly jinked past an Astana defender and left him sprawled on the grass; one of a game high 7 carries into the penalty box.

Samuel Rak-Sakyi, making a first senior start, pirouetted and glided away from pressure several times in the first half, much to the delight of the Central Stadium, that oohed with his every flick. With 100 touches to his name, he only misplaced one pass all evening. As the lone pivot in Chelsea’s aggressive 3-diamond-3, there was a lot of pressure on young shoulders but in possession he coped admirably.

Of the others brought in from the cold, Marc Guiu popped up with what should have been a brace. Guiu’s industry and intelligent movement from flank to center and vice-versa gave the Astana defence a lot to ponder. After a tough start and no loan, this performance may have come at the ideal time with the Jan window fast approaching.

In the last 10 decade, 8 Chelsea players aged 19 or under made their European debuts. Kiano Dyer’s sub made it 8 debuts for Maresca in his short reign. Astana’s league season ended in October due to the cold. They have since played once every 14 days on the regular. Post-game I asked Grigoriy Babayan if the lack of match sharpness was the blame more than tactical acumen, and he agreed, stating that if the game was in September, Chelsea would have faced a far more aggressive press and fewer mistakes.

The most important takeaway though is that those called on to step up in the bleak midwinter did so superbly. From Ampah’s surging runs on the flanks to Shim Mheuka shoulder barging senior players away at just 17, this was not unlike the rituals young Central Asian boys used to go through to be considered men. No wonder the Kazakhs enjoyed it.