Chelsea have named their UEFA Conference League squad for the upcoming league phase and there are some big names omitted from the 27-player group.
Last season’s leading scorer, Cole Palmer, is the headline omission from the squad with head coach Enzo Maresca set to use the club’s midweek excursions as a chance to rest the club’s talisman.
Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are also not included, as Chelsea look to manage the work-load on both players after injury-plagued periods at Stamford Bridge.
The newly-formed league phase will see Chelsea face Gent, Panathinaikos, Noah, Heidenheim, Astana and Shamrock Rovers. Remarkably, the West Londoners have never faced any of those opposition sides in European competition before.
Chelsea were forced to cut numbers from their squad due to their overpopulated group. There’s also no place for Ben Chilwell, who has been informed he is free to leave the club. However, the England international failed to secure a move away before the closure of the transfer window for Europe’s top five leagues.
Chelsea Europa Conference League squad for league phase
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders: Axel Disasi, Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Renato Veiga
Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo, Cesare Casadei, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer
Attackers: Pedro Neto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu
Read – Midfielder disputes that style the reason for Chelsea exit
See more – Ranking Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever goals