Chelsea omits star players from Europa Conference League squad

Chelsea's decision to omit Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana from their Europa Conference League squad has sparked controversy. Manager Enzo Maresca's choice appears to prioritize the Premier League over the European competition, leading to criticism from former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor. He argues that such a move is disrespectful to the tournament, suggesting that Chelsea views the Europa Conference League as less significant compared to the Champions League or Premier League. Palmer, who has been a standout performer for Chelsea, has started every match this season and contributed significantly in terms of goals and assists. However, the club is reportedly concerned about managing his playing time to prevent burnout. Similarly, Lavia and Fofana have faced injury challenges, with Fofana missing the entirety of the previous season and Lavia struggling with ankle and hamstring issues. The decision to rest these players may be a tactical one, allowing Chelsea to field a stronger side in domestic competitions while still having depth in their squad. With new attacking options like Joao Felix, Jadon Sancho, and Pedro Neto, Chelsea feels confident in their ability to compete even without their star players in the Europa Conference League. As the tournament progresses, Chelsea has the opportunity to add more players to their squad if they advance to the knockout stages. This flexibility could allow them to reassess their strategy and potentially include key players later in the competition, depending on their performance and fitness levels.