Chelsea were 'quite disrespectful' with big decision involving Cole Palmer, claims Gabriel Agbonlahor

Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has hit out at Chelsea for leaving England international Cole Palmer out of their 2024-25 UEFA Europa Conference League squad.

The Blues, who had their Europa League berth taken by Manchester United past season, beat Servette 3-2 on aggregate to qualify for the Conference League last month. Apart from Palmer, they also omitted Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia from their squad last week.

During a recent chat on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor shared his honest thoughts on Chelsea's recent decision involving the 22-year-old left-footed midfielder. He said (h/t Daily Mail):

"I think it's disrespectful to the competition because they wouldn't do that for the Europa League or the Champions League. 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'."

Opining more on the Blues' squad announcement, Agbonlahor added:

"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."

Agbonlahor, who represented Aston Villa 391 times as a player, said:

"If I'm a team that is playing against them, I would be like, 'Come on, that's a team talk... they're resting a few players, not putting them in the squad because they're thin there, the rest of their squad can beat you'. I do think that I would be like, 'Oh, Palmer doesn't have to play does he? Is this a rubbish competition?' But I do get it. You need a rest as well, the players do."

The Blues will open their Conference League campaign with a contest against Belgian outfit KAA Gent at Stamford Bridge on October 3.

How well has Cole Palmer performed since departing Manchester City to join Chelsea?

Since leaving Manchester City in a deal worth up to £42.5 million, Cole Palmer has cemented himself as one of the best performers in the Premier League. He helped Chelsea finish sixth last campaign as he registered 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 league games for them.

Palmer, who has a contract until June 2033 at the Blues, has opened the 2024-25 season on an excellent note as well. He has scored once and laid out four assists in in just three Premier League games so far.

The nine-cap England international has scored 26 goals and provided 19 assists in 50 matches across all competitions for the Blues so far.