Cole Palmer has not been named in Chelsea’s starting lineup for the UEFA Conference League’s first round in an attempt to control the England star’s playing time during a season that may extend until mid-July.

Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia were also allegedly excluded for “load management” reasons, as Chelsea is scheduled to compete in an enlarged Club World Cup in the United States from June 15–July 13.

Only 33 days before the Premier League season started, Palmer scored in England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

The 22-year-old has been left off of England’s squad for this week’s Nations League games against Finland and the Republic of Ireland.

The global footballers’ union FIFPro claimed on Thursday that as more tournaments grow, football’s regulatory bodies are “failing to meet their duty of care” to players by not allowing them enough sleep.

The union proposes introducing a maximum number of games for players as well as a guaranteed minimum amount of time off.

Palmer participated in 57 club and national team games last year.

The dynamic play of Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Erling Haaland of Manchester City, who both took the summer off from international duty, has been referenced by the chairman of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association as evidence of the value of player break periods.

Under UEFA’s revamped league phase, Chelsea will play Gent, Panathinaikos, FC Noah, Heidenheim, Astana, and Shamrock Rovers in the third-tier European club competition.

Palmer might still be included in the Blues’ starting lineup for the latter stages if Enzo Maresca’s team advances.