Chelsea leave out Cole Palmer from UEFA Conference League squad in shocking decision

Chelsea have made a surprising decision by omitting Cole Palmer from their UEFA Conference League squad, a move that has left many fans and pundits puzzled.

Despite Palmer’s impressive early-season form, which includes four assists and a goal, he will not feature in the group phase of the competition.

The club cited “load management” as the primary reason for Palmer’s exclusion, alongside defender Wesley Fofana and midfielder Romeo Lavia. Chelsea’s busy schedule, which includes their debut in the FIFA Club World Cup, has led to this decision. The Blues are set to face Gent, Heidenheim, Astana, Shamrock Rovers, Panathinaikos, and Noah in the group stages before potentially revising their squad for the knockout rounds.

Palmer’s omission is particularly surprising given his stellar performances since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023.

The England international had a standout debut season, scoring 25 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions. His exceptional contributions earned him the Premier League and PFA Young Player of the Year awards and a recent nomination for the Ballon d’Or.