Cole Palmer, injury-jinxed midfielder Romeo Lavia and centre back Wesley Fofana have been left out of the 27-strong group to contest this season’s Uefa Conference League.
Chelsea have taken the dramatic step due to load management as Chelsea season could go on until July 2025
Palmer, 22, featured in both legs of the play-off round against Swiss side FC Servette – coming off the bench in the second half both times.
But he will not play in the league stage which comprises six games up to December before the knockout rounds begin next year.
Palmer has withdrawn from the latest England squad due to ongoing issues – believed to be a relatively minor hamstring problem.
Chelsea played their first game of the season on August 18 but will be competing in next summer’s expanded Club World Cup in America.
It runs from June 15 to July 13 and features 32 teams, including Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Europa Conference League final takes place on May 25 in Poland.
Chelsea are concerned at the number of games which could be heaped upon their rising star who played a key role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024 in the summer.
Fofana missed the whole of last season with a knee injury, while Lavia has suffered with a series of fitness issues since joining Chelsea last summer for £53 million.
There could still be a chance for Lavia, Palmer and Fofana to play in the Conference League this season though.
That’s because Chelsea are able to add three more players to their squad following the initial league phase of the tournament.
So should the London club advance into the latter stages then Maresca may then call the big name trio up to the squad.
Chelsea survived a late scare to book their place in the UEFA Conference League league phase as Enzo Maresca’s side lost 2-1 to Servette, but progressed 3-2 on aggregate. The Italian fielded a much-changed Blues side with Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo among the key players rested, but two players in particular struggled.
The west London outfit took a 2-0 lead to Switzerland after their professional display at Stamford Bridge. But in the noisy Stade de Geneve arena, it would prove to be a different test for Enzo Maresca.
Christopher Nkunku made no mistake from the spot to put the visitors in control, but a defensive lapse allowed Jeremy Guillemenot to fire the Swiss outfit level at the interval. Servette’s Enzo Crivelli ensured a grandstand finish with a fine header, but a nervy Chelsea side held on.
Filip Jorgensen 5/10
Out of nowhere, the Norwegian was picking the ball out of his net after a quiet first half and he could do nothing to stop the opener. The second was less convincing, although he made a smart stop to deny Antunes at 1-1.
Axel Disasi 4/10
Brushed off transfer speculation to make his first start under the new boss and looked solid enough in dealing with Antunes. But when he was required to cut out Servette’s attack, he refused to take the booking and Chelsea paid the price.
Tosin Adarabioyo 5/10
With every game he looks more settled at the back and he certainly appears more comfortable being the third of the centre-backs in possession.
Benoit Badiashile 4/10
Earned himself an unnecessary booking to put him on the edge and lost his marker Guillemenot for the Servette equaliser. Levi Colwill won’t be feeling threatened about his place.
Renato Veiga 6/10
The 20-year-old is gradually working himself into Maresca’s thoughts and looked assured in playing the left-back/central hybrid role often occupied by Marc Cucurella.
Enzo Fernandez 6/10
The Argentinian was unlucky to see his 25-yard thunderbolt tipped wide by Frick and assumed his job as the midfield dictator alongside Veiga. But defensively, he still has a big improvement to make to play in the double pivot. Rested on the hour.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6/10
The £30m summer signing is still finding his feet in his system despite playing under Maresca. A tad awkward in managing his deployment as a left-sided No 10 alongside Mudryk.
Fresh off his first England international call-up and a hat-trick against Wolves, the winger didn’t have his best game on the right as Servette doubled up against him and missed a golden chance. Given a rest after being replaced by George.
Christopher Nkunku 7/10
Surprised to see him benched on Sunday, but the Frenchman responded by taking full creative responsibility, demanding the ball in possession. As he did in the second leg, the £60million man smashed home.
Mykhaylo Mudryk 7/10
Had a point to prove after he was hooked at half time by Maresca at the weekend, and his alertness to react to Veiga’s long ball forward was crucial in winning the penalty for Nkunku to convert. Wasteful in the first half, Mudryk was more involved in the second and went on a lung-busting 80-yard run before seeing his effort saved. An improved display all in all.
Marc Guiu 5/10
Another opportunity for the 18-year-old to prove himself after missing a few gilt-edged chances in the first leg. But aside from his relentless pressing and a neat pass for Madueke, he was probably the least involved of the Chelsea XI. Brought off for Jackson.
Substitutes
Tyrique George (on 62′) 7/10
The 18-year-old was handed his debut and wasted no time in taking full advantage, taking on defenders with direct dribbling.
Moises Caicedo (on 62′) 6/10
The Ecuadorian took some time to get into the game as Servette moved from strength to strength.
Nicolas Jackson (on 62′) 5/10
Looked lively on the ball but wasteful in the final third. Booked.
Cole Palmer (on 72′) 7/10
Replaced Mudryk and showed his class, unlucky to hit the bar.
Chelsea will face Swiss side Servette in this month’s UEFA Conference League play-off.
The Maroons suffered a 2-1 defeat to Braga in the Europa League qualifying third round this evening.
They now drop down to the Conference League, where Chelsea wait in the play-offs.
The two sides will meet at Stamford Bridge next Thursday, August 22 before Enzo Maresca’s side travel to Switzerland a week later for the second leg.
It will be Chelsea’s first competitive fixture in Switzerland since 2013, when they faced Basel in the Champions League.
The Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat in the group stages, with Mohamed Salah scoring the only goal.
Chelsea fans are already confident about the two upcoming games, with many predicting a comfortable win.
One person took to social media to write: “10-0 incoming. I trust my boys.”
Another commented: “Servette in the UCL yessss!!!!”
While a third said: “I can comfortably say that we’re smashing Servette in the qualifiers.”
The Conference League play-off could be a good chance for Chelsea to showcase some of their new sigings.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Aaron Anselmino and Filip Jorgensen are among the players who have joined since the summer window opened.
The Blues are now reportedly pushing to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli.
Osimhen is valued at £85million but Chelsea want to offer Romelu Lukaku, Cesare Casadei and £39m in exchange.
