Chelsea has left Cole Palmer out of their squad for the opening stages of the UEFA Conference League in an effort to manage the England star’s workload. This decision highlights the growing concerns about player burnout in the face of an expanding football calendar. FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, has called out football governing bodies for their lack of care towards players, advocating for guaranteed rest periods and limits on the number of games.
Chelsea, two-time European champions, will face teams from Armenia, Ireland, and Belgium in the group stage of the newly formatted UEFA Conference League. The draw also pits them against German debutant Heidenheim, Panathinaikos, and Astana in Kazakhstan. This season’s Conference League features an expanded league phase where all 36 teams compete in a single standings, playing six games against six different opponents.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed confidence in Mykhailo Mudryk, emphasizing the need for the winger to improve his consistency in the final third. Maresca also praised substitute Noni Madueke’s impact, confirming his desire to retain the young winger.
With the end of the season approaching, West Ham needs to make a decision about David Moyes’ future. The club owes it to Moyes and the fans to be transparent about his future before the last home game. Moyes has had some success with West Ham, including three consecutive European quarter-finals and a UEFA Conference League trophy. However, it’s time for a fresh face with fresh ideas. Moyes’ stubbornness, defensive approach, and small squad have become problems for the team. In January, Moyes was fixated on acquiring Kalvin Phillips but was reluctant to strengthen the front end of the pitch. The Hammers produced a first half to remember in their bid to recover the tie only to gas out and not have viable options on the bench to turn to. The club is trying to break this cycle, following the ambitious technical director appointment of Tim Steidten. They now need an exciting manager to match the evolving structure of the club. Moyes did an exceptional job at West Ham, but like all good things, they must come to an end.
