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Palmer has withdrawn from the latest England squad due to ongoing issues – believed to be a relatively minor hamstring problem.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.