Chelsea leave Ballon d'Or nominee out of squad list as well as three senior stars
Chelsea
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Chelsea have made some glaring omissions from their Europa Conference League squad including four senior players.
The biggest name missing off the list is Cole Palmer, who has had a rollercoaster couple of days after also being named on the 30-man list for the Ballon d'Or this year.
The England international was undoubtedly Chelsea's star man last year as they finished sixth in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old won the PFA Young Player of the Year last season after 27 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, including 22 in the Premier League.
Chelsea have announced their Europa Conference League squad with Cole Palmer out
PA
And he has started this campaign in fine fettle, too, having notched up four assists and a goal in five games, yet he will not play in the Europa Conference League - the league phase at least.
Chelsea could play close to 80 matches this season as they prepare to take part in five competitions.
With that in mind, the Blues are concious of managing the minutes in their large squad and sharing them around, with the European third-tier competition seen as a fine example to give fringe players a go.
It means that Palmer can be rested and allowed to concentrate on playing in the Premier League, also saving him from travelling across Europe and keeping his legs fresh.
He is not the only big name to miss out on the competition, though, with Ben Chilwell also left out of the list.
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The left-back's omission is no big surprise considering he has already been banished from the first team as he does not fit Enzo Maresca's style of play.
Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana have also been left out of the squad, both of whom missed the majority of last season with injury.
Chelsea are keen to ease them back into first-team football, which will also mean managing their minutes accordingly and not risking more long-term injuries.
In their place, young stars Marc Guiu, Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka have been picked as Maresca looks to develop his fringe players - or at least put them in the shop window.
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Chelsea are prepared to let their fringe players shine in the Europa Conference League
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Palmer might still play for Chelsea later in the competition if they qualify past the league phase, which gets underway on October 3 when they take on Belgian outfit Gent at Stamford Bridge.
After the league phase has been completed, clubs are allowed to re-enlist their squads in January for the knockout stages.
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Ben Chilwell has been ostracised from the Chelsea squad
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Chelsea have a large squad this year after another summer of lavish spending, which has included the purchases of Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Joao Felix - as well as the loan signing of Jadon Sancho.
There were also high profile departures including Romelu Lukaku, Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen, while Brazilian winger Angelo was allowed to sign for Saudi side Al-Nassr this week.
It has left Maresca with a squad of around 35 players, which includes a smattering of academy players who have appeared in the first team.
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