Five Chelsea first-team players are not going to be part of the travelling squad for Panathinaikos

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Chelsea Announce Squad for European Clash Against Panathinaikos

Chelsea have revealed their travelling squad for this week’s European match against Panathinaikos, with several key players staying behind in England to rest.

Chelsea Land in Greece Ahead of Conference League Tie

The Blues have touched down in Greece as they prepare for Thursday’s away fixture against Panathinaikos in the group stages of the Conference League.

Manager Enzo Maresca has been shuffling his squad between Premier League matches and cup competitions so far this season. It seems he’s set to do the same for tomorrow’s game.

Last month, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol mentioned via X that Chelsea’s owners believe they now have a squad deep enough to push them back to the top. Looking at the depth across every position at Stamford Bridge, it’s easy to see why.

Five Players Rested for Panathinaikos Clash

There are some notable team selections ahead of Chelsea’s match against Panathinaikos on Thursday.

According to Chelsea’s official website, a 22-man squad has travelled to Athens for the Conference League game.

However, Marcus Bettinelli, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, and Cole Palmer have stayed behind in England as they’re not registered for the European competition.

Additionally, five first-team players have been given a rest for the match. Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Reece James, and Malo Gusto have all been left at home.

Smart Squad Management

We’re impressed by Maresca’s handling of Chelsea’s packed schedule during the early months of the season, with his strategy of rotating the squad and ensuring everyone gets involved.

Giving Colwill, Caicedo, and Jackson a break on Thursday makes sense, especially after their international duties. Meanwhile, James needs careful monitoring after returning from injury, and Gusto has already played a lot this season.

Still, the squad heading to Athens remains strong and capable enough to handle the challenge against Panathinaikos in the Conference League.