Chelsea has opted to exclude Cole Palmer from their squad for the initial rounds of the UEFA Conference League, a decision driven by the need to manage the England international’s playing time. This move comes amidst a season that could stretch well into mid-July, with Chelsea set to participate in an expanded Club World Cup in the United States, scheduled from June 15th to July 13th.
This decision echoes a growing concern in the football world about player burnout. Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana were also left out of Chelsea’s squad for similar “load management” reasons. Palmer’s omission also comes just 33 days after he scored in England’s Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain. The 22-year-old has also withdrawn from the England squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
The global footballers’ union, FIFPro, has been vocal about the lack of care shown towards players by football’s governing bodies. They have called for a guaranteed minimum amount of time off for players and even the introduction of a maximum number of games. This is a direct response to the ever-expanding football calendar.
The head of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association has pointed to the blistering form of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah – both of whom had a summer off from international commitments – as evidence of the benefits of rest periods for players.
Chelsea will face Gent, Panathinaikos, FC Noah, Heidenheim, Astana, and Shamrock Rovers in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League. While Palmer has been left out of the initial squad, he could potentially be added to the squad for later stages of the competition if Enzo Maresca’s side progresses.
The inclusion of Palmer in Chelsea’s squad for the later stages of the Conference League will depend on his progress and the team’s performance. This situation highlights the increasing pressures on footballers to perform at a high level amidst a demanding schedule. It will be interesting to see how the football governing bodies respond to the calls for greater player protection and whether they are willing to implement changes to the calendar.
