Chelsea announce squad for UEFA Conference League 2024-25; Cole Palmer left out

Several key players have been left out of the Blues squad.

Cole Palmer will not be playing for Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League league phase. This is an unexpected move by the Premier League giants. Through a 3-2 aggregate score in the playoff round, the Blues defeated Servette to advance to this level of the competition.

Chelsea were assigned matches against Shamrock Rovers, Panathinaikos, Gent, Heidenheim, Astana and Noah FC in last week’s league phase draw. To be seeded for the final 16 directly, Enzo Maresca will be looking for the Premier League heavyweights to place in the top eight of the 36-team standings.

A squad of Chelsea’s calibre should, at the very least, place in the top 24, which would secure them a place in the play-off round.

Several players were bound to be left off the roster given Chelsea’s large squad. Maresca and club staff have decided to bench Palmer and two other important players for the next six games of the competition.

The most well-known player to be left out is England international Palmer. He has made a significant impression since joining from Manchester City a little over a year ago.

Both midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Wesley Fofana, who missed the previous entire season due to injury have also been not called up as well.

Due to Palmer’s participation in the Euro 2024 with the England national team, Palmer’s previous season (2023-24) continued until July 14. It appears that Chelsea have come to this decision to manage the workload of all three players.

Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella has been called up while his teammate Ben Chilwell has also been omitted from the squad for the competition.

Previously transfer-listed players Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka are selected. They are likely to see playing time in the continental competition.

The Blues‘ homegrown players Josh Acheampong, Kaino Dyer and Tyrique George appear to be part of Maresca’s plans. The trio will play in the Conference League.

Chelsea full squad for UEFA Conference League

Goalkeepers: Sanchez, Jorgensen, Bergstrom

Defenders: Disasi, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Colwill*, James, Gusto, Acheampong*, Veiga

Midfielders: Fernandez, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Nkunku, Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Casadei, George*, Dyer*

Forwards: Neto, Mudryk, Felix, Jackson, Guiu

*club-trained players

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