Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Chelsea, Cole Palmer, Europa Conference League
Josh Lawless
Cole Palmer has been omitted from Chelsea's Conference League 27-man squad along with two teammates.
After narrowly getting past Servette in a two-legged play-off, the Blues will play six games in the new 36-team league format.
They will come up against Gent, Panathinaikos, Noah, Heidenheim, Astana and Shamrock Rovers - with three games at home and three taking place away.
But their talisman and top scorer last season will not be involved in any of the fixtures, it has emerged.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the squad was submitted at midnight on Wednesday and Palmer has been left out along with Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.
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Football.London claim the decision has been made due to" load management" - as Chelsea look to manage Palmer's minutes.
Chelsea will participate in five competitions this season, including the revamped Club World Cup.
Palmer featured in the qualifying round but will not be eligible to play in any Conference League matches as it stands.
The former Manchester City playmaker, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award after a stunning season where he scored 25 times and registered 15 assists in all competitions, is currently injured and pulled out of the recent England squad.
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If Enzo Maresca's side progress, Palmer could still be brought back into the fold for the knockout stages, where Chelsea will be able to make a total of three changes in February.
New signings Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto have all been included, while goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has been replaced by Lucas Bergstrom after being in the play-off squad.
Chelsea's 27-man squad in full:
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Goalkeepers: Sanchez, Jorgensen, Bergstrom
Defenders: Disasi, Cucurella, Tosin, Badiashile, James, Gusto, Veiga, Colwill*, Acheampong*
Midfielders: Fernandez, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Nkunku, Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Casadei, George*, Dyer*
Forwards: Neto, Mudryk, Felix, Jackson, Guiu
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*Included in the UEFA B list.
Chelsea's first game in the Conference League is on 3 October when they take on Belgian side Gent.