Cole Palmer shares conversation he had with Enzo Maresca about not playing in Conference League

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea take on Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday but will be without star player Cole Palmer.

Chelsea decided not to register Cole Palmer, as well as Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, for this stage of the competition as they look to manage his minutes.

The attacking midfielder played a lot of matches last season, making 45 appearances in total for the Blues.

A bit of rest could do a lot of good for Chelsea’s main man, with Palmer not having the best game against Liverpool last weekend.

• READ MORE: Frank Lampard believes ‘unique’ Chelsea player was off his game vs Liverpool at Anfield

Cole Palmer’s conversation with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

A footballer’s career is short. Palmer will want to be on the pitch as often as he can be.

However, the 22-year-old says Enzo Maresca has explained to him that he wants to keep him fresh after all of the games that he played last season, hence his omission from Chelsea’s current Conference League squad.

“Enzo explained that it was because it was only my first full season in football last year, and he wants me to be fresh this season,” Palmer told Chelsea’s official website. “That’s the thinking behind it; I get more rest.”

Chelsea do not need Cole Palmer to qualify for the next round

Chelsea have more than enough firepower to make it to the knockout stage of the Conference League, even without Palmer. They showed that in their first league phase game.

Maresca’s men beat Gent 4-2, with two other attackers, Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto, both managing to get on the scoresheet.

Defence is probably the area that Maresca has to be concerned about, but this Chelsea team looks capable of outscoring any side in the competition.

While Palmer will not feature against Panathinaikos on Thursday, he will be expected to return to the starting line-up at the weekend when Chelsea take on Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

Again, the England international is Chelsea’s star player, already racking up 11 goal contributions in the Premier League this season.

The Blues have so many good attacking options and so do England. Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey would pick Palmer over Phil Foden for the Three Lions.