Maresca explains why Palmer will be DROPPED

Cole Palmer has decorated Chelsea’s season to date with a series of stunning performances, netting six Premier League goals in total.

Palmer hit the headlines at the weekend as he scored four times in the first half against Brighton as the Blues picked up a 4-2 Premier League win.

The England international, though, will not be allowed to continue that momentum in the Conference League fixture against Gent on Thursday, with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca leaving him out of the European squad entirely in the first half of the campaign.

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The Italian has explained why he has taken this course of action to Chelsea’s undoubted ace.

“We played some games without Cole, but for us, Cole is something extra that you need. We also need to think a bit to protect some players. There is a reason behind it and I think Cole is needed to be protected,” Maresca said.

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Maresca’s proactive stance

Chelsea’s stance on Palmer looks like a wise one.

While Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has received criticism for throwing on Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt when his side was 5-0 up on Barnsley in the EFL Cup then complaining about fixture congestion, it appears that Maresca is more willing to take a proactive approach to managing the best players in his squad.

The Blues are unlikely to be significantly challenged during their six group-stage encounters in the Conference League, which will see them also tackle Panathinaikos, FC Noah, Heidenheim, Astana and Shamrock Rovers.

Maresca also has a large squad to juggle, and while that will prove a chore at times when it comes to the European matches, it offers him the luxury of being able to rest Palmer.