Gabby Agbonlahor Hits Out At 'Disrespectful' Chelsea

Written By Albert Echatah

Ex-Aston Villa player Gabby Agbonlahor has lambasted Enzo Maresca over his decision to leave Cole Palmer out of their UEFA Europa league squad list.

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After placing sixth in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino, the predecessor of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea will now compete in Europe’s third tier competition.

Maresca’s men prevailed 3-2 on aggregate against Servette to guarantee their place in the Conference League group stage.

Palmer, 22, won the PFA Young Player of the Year title after having an incredible first season with Chelsea last season. Palmer scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in the English Premier League.

Palmer was unexpectedly left out of Chelsea’s competition squad, which consisted of 27 players. The massive Stamford Bridge team is reportedly eager to control the England international’s workload.

Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, who have both battled ailments since moving to west London, were left out of the group as well.

‘I think it’s disrespectful to the competition because they wouldn’t do that for the Europa League or the Champions League,’ Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT when asked about Chelsea’s decision.

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‘They’re looking at the Europa Conference League like, “Eurgh, we’re Chelsea and we shouldn’t be in this… let’s rest our players who might pick up knocks”.

‘Especially with Lavia and Fofana. They’ve had injury problems and they’re probably thinking, “Rest them in the Europa Conference League, we can play a weakened side and then concentrate on the Premier League with some of these players”.

‘I think it’s quite disrespectful to the competition to be honest.’

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