22-year-old dropped from Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad

According to ESPN, Chelsea’s 27-man Europa League squad has sparked controversy due to the exclusion of a key player—last season’s Premier League top scorer for the Blues, Cole Palmer.

Chelsea are set to compete against Gent, Panathinaikos, Noah, Heidenheim, Astana, and Shamrock Rovers in the league phase of the tournament, having advanced by defeating Servette 3-2 on aggregate in the play-off round.

The 22-year-old forward, who is usually one of the first names on the teamsheet for Chelsea in domestic competitions, has been omitted from the Europa League squad. However, it appears that the club is using this tournament to give other players essential playing time. With a deep squad at their disposal, Chelsea’s decision likely reflects their intent to rotate players as they navigate multiple competitions this season.

Cole Palmer dropped from Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad

Palmer, a product of Manchester United’s youth academy, joined Chelsea in 2023 for €47.00 million. He quickly became the Blues’ top scorer last season, netting 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 Premier League appearances. In addition to Palmer, other notable exclusions from the squad include Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.

These omissions have raised eyebrows, particularly given Palmer’s importance to the squad. However, Chelsea’s depth means the club is likely rotating players to manage their fitness and balance their efforts across various competitions this season.

Palmer is currently on international duty with the England squad for the UEFA Nations League qualifiers against Finland and Ireland. Interestingly, another Chelsea youngster, Noni Madueke, has also earned his first senior national team call-up.

Given Palmer’s importance to Chelsea, resting the 22-year-old seems to be a strategic move to avoid potential injuries. His fitness is crucial, and any prolonged absence could significantly impact both the club and the player. Chelsea’s Premier League campaign resumes on September 14, when they face Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium—a fixture where Palmer’s presence could be pivotal.