Maresca, however, will be unable to call on star man Cole Palmer for the European campaign. Indeed, the England international – along with Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia – all been left out of the club’s squad for the Conference League group stages.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca feels Cole Palmer is a player that "needs to be protected" but insists his side are not dependent on the midfielder. Palmer was not named in the Chelsea squad for the Europa Conference League group stages and will have the night off when the Blues open up against Gent at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Cole Palmer, along with Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana, have been left out of Chelsea’s Conference League squad. The Blues are featuring in this season’s third-tier competition of European club football after finishing sixth in the top-flight under Mauricio Pochettino last term.