Cole Palmer left out of Chelsea's Conference League squad

Cole Palmer will not feature against Shamrock Rovers in December after being left out of Chelsea's Conference League squad.

It's understood the 22-year-old has been omitted for load management purposes in a season that is scheduled to end with the Blues' participation in the new Club World Cup.

Palmer, who has registered a goal and four assists in the Premier League this season, withdrew from Lee Carsley's England squad for upcoming games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

He's been included on the list of nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or alongside compatriots Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana have also been left out of Chelsea's European squad. The duo spent much of the 2023-24 campaign out through injury and the club have decided to manage their minutes.

Blues skipper Reece James was named in the squad despite currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury, but fellow England full-back Ben Chilwell was not included.

Chelsea are one of 32 teams to have qualified for next summer's Club World Cup, which is scheduled to run from 15 June to 13 July.

They will host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge on 19 December.