England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Chelsea name Europa Conference League squad</li><li>Palmer, Fofana, and Lavia not in 27-man group</li><li>Decision behind trio's omission revealed</li></ul>

Explained: Why Enzo Maresca has left Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia out of Chelsea's Conference League squad

Premier League

Leicester

Chelsea

On Thursday, Chelsea named their 27-man squad for the upcoming tournament. Among the list of names, there were three noteworthy absentees: Palmer, Fofana, and Lavia. So, why has the trio not been included in manager Enzo Maresca's squad?

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to BBC Sport journalist, <a href="https://x.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1831689998770348311" target="_blank">Nizaar Kinsella</a>, the Blues will not call up the trio for the league phase of the competition. He claims the decision was made for 'load management' reasons as Chelsea could compete in as much as five tournaments from now until next summer.

THE EXPLANATION

Before the knockout stages of the tournament, all teams will go into the league phase, where they play sides from different pots of varying difficulty. Chelsea, for instance, face Gent, Panathinaikos, Noah, FC Heidenheim, Astana, and Shamrock Rovers between October and December.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea begin their European campaign at home to Gent on October 3. If they get through the league stage, Palmer, Fofana, and Lavia may be included in their squad for the knockout stages of the competition in 2025.

WHAT NEXT?

Explained: Why Enzo Maresca has left Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia out of Chelsea's Conference League squad | Goal.com

Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have all been left out of Chelsea&apos;s Europa League Conference squad.