Chelsea did not include the Ballon d'Or nominee in their Conference League bid. Why?
Chelsea has officially announced their 25-man squad for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League, and fans were met with several surprises.
The most notable omission is the club's top scorer and star, Cole Palmer, who was recently named among the 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Chelsea's coaching staff explained the decision as a way to manage Palmer’s workload, given his involvement in the Premier League and domestic cups. With Chelsea potentially playing until July due to their participation in the 2025 Club World Cup, the club chose to prioritize Palmer's health over competing in the third-tier European tournament.
Alongside Palmer, midfielder Romeo Lavia and central defender Wesley Fofana were also left out for similar reasons.
Chelsea’s group stage opponents in the Conference League include Gent, Panathinaikos, Noah, Heidenheim, Astana, and Shamrock Rovers.
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
