Why is Cole Palmer not playing for Chelsea vs Gent today?
Share this
Chelsea Begin Conference League Campaign Without Key England Star
Chelsea kicks off their Conference League journey today with a home match against Belgian side Gent. While it’s still uncertain how seriously Chelsea will approach this competition, many believe they are one of the favorites to win.
With the depth of talent at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, even a rotated squad would likely still be stronger than many of their competitors, showing the strength of the Blues’ lineup. Winning this tournament would also see Chelsea become the first club to have won all three major UEFA club competitions, an impressive achievement.
However, Maresca won’t be able to count on one of his star players, Cole Palmer, for the group stages. Alongside Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have also been left out of the squad for the group stage.
This decision was made to manage the players’ workloads over the course of a demanding season, with Chelsea expected to compete deep into multiple competitions. Both Lavia and Fofana are still recovering from long-term injuries, while Palmer is simply being rested. All three could return for the knockout rounds.
Maresca explained the reasoning, saying, “We need to protect the players. Last year, Romeo and Wes both had injury problems, and we want to make sure they are fit for the Premier League. As for Cole, he had a very busy year, from his time at City to joining us, and we want to manage his minutes wisely.”
By prioritizing the players’ health and managing their playing time, Maresca hopes to keep his squad in top condition for the rest of the season.
