Cole Palmer has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the UEFA Conference League (Image: Getty)
Cole Palmer has been surprisingly left out of Chelsea’s confirmed 27-man squad for the UEFA Conference League: League Phase by head coach Enzo Maresca.
The England international scored 25 goals in all competitions for the Blues last season in a stellar debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, following his £42million move from Manchester City.
He was also named PFA Young Player of the Year for his efforts in the 2023-24 season and was listed among the nominees for the 30-man Ballon d’Or list on Wednesday.
Despite that, Palmer has been omitted from Maresca’s roster for their inaugural journey in the third-tier European competition. It is understood the Italian boss opted to exclude Palmer from his squad list to protect him from an increased workload.
Palmer played 45 matches for the Blues last season in addition to playing for England at Euro 2024 and Maresca is mindful of shielding his star player from possible burnout, having also pulled out of Lee Carsley’s squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
As a result, he was left out of the squad along with Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, who have only just returned to full fitness following lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Enzo Maresca selected Cole Palmer for the first leg win over Servette (Image: Getty)
Palmer did come on as a substitute in Chelsea’s Conference League play-off victory over Servette, which they won 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in Switzerland.
They have been drawn against Shamrock Rovers, Gent, FC Noah, Heidenheim, Astana and Panathinaikos in the league phase of the competition, with the Blues expected to progress without too much bother.
It may go towards explaining why Palmer has been left out, with the opportunity to register him later in the tournament if Chelsea reach the knockout stages. But the decision to leave him out altogether could prove to be a huge gamble from Maresca, particularly if Chelsea struggle for form.
Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have also been left out by Maresca (Image: Getty)
The 44-year-old head coach has included all of their new summer signings in the squad, with Pedro Neto, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jadon Sancho and Marc Guiu all set for their first European adventure.
Joao Felix, who previously played for the club in the Champions League while on loanduring the 2022-23 season, is also part of the squad.
There is no place in the squad for out-of-favour defender Ben Chilwell, who has been told to leave and could seal a loan move to Turkey in the next week. However, injured captain Reece James has made the cut.
Youngsters from the club’s academy have also been selected, with Josh Acheampong, Kiano Dyer, Tyrique George, Harrison McMahon and Max Merrick named on the ‘B’ List. They are set to be given a chance to push for first-team minutes as Maresca is expected to rotate his squad.
Ben Chilwell has been omitted from the squad and is expected to leave (Image: Getty)
Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League squad in full:
A LIST
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders: Axel Disasi, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Renato Veiga
Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo, Cesare Casadei
Attackers: Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Marc Guiu
B LIST
Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, Kiano Dyer, Tyrique George, Harrison McMahon, Max Merrick
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1944853/Chelsea-Cole-Palmer-UEFA-Conference-League-squad