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Chelsea have confirmed that star forward Cole Palmer will not participate in the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League alongside two others. With the transfer window closed, the Blues named their squad to tackle the preliminary stage of Europe's third-tier competition.
The Blues finished in sixth place in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season but dropped to the Conference League after Manchester United won the FA Cup. They defeated Swiss outfit Servette by a 3-2 aggregate scoreline over two legs to progress to the league phase.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has had to decide on the players to represent the club in the first stage of the tournament, and he has dropped three prominent players. Fresh from receiving a Ballon d'Or nomination, England international Cole Palmer has been left out, as have Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.
The trio was left out for load management, as the club wishes to relieve them of European duties ahead of a potentially busy summer. Palmer left the English national team camp due to discomfort, having played an extended 2023-24 season.
Fofana pulled out of the French national team to focus on his load management after missing the whole of the 2023-24 season. Romeo Lavia is in the same boat as Fofana with his hamstring injury already this season.
Chelsea will face Belgian outfit KAA Gent in their first game on October 3rd at Stamford Bridge. Maresca's side will also face Greek outfit Panathinaikos, FC Noah, Heidenheim, FC Astana, and Shamrock Rovers in the league phase for a place in the knockouts.
The club will be able to make a maximum of three squad changes if they progress to the knockout stages in February 2025.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer nominated for two Premier League awards
Chelsea ace Cole Palmer has been nominated for two awards in the first month of Premier League action. The 22-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking debut campaign last term and appears to have carried the form into the new season.
Palmer has been nominated for the Player of the Month award for August. The England international featured against Manchester City, Wolves, and Crystal Palace, recording a goal and four assists in those games.
The reigning PFA Young Player of the Year has also been nominated for the Goal of the Month award for his strike against Wolves. He latched onto a flick from Nicolas Jackson before lifting a sublime lob over the head of Wolves' Jose Sa.
