Cole Palmer could get his first taste of European football this year (Image: Getty)
has confirmed his squad for the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League.
The Blues topped the league phase section prior to Christmas having won all six of their matches.
Talisman had been left out of ‘s initial squad earlier in the season, as they looked to manage his minutes after a hectic first season in west London.
But the Englishman has been included in ‘s squad for the knockout stages, which will begin in the last-16 against either Gent or Real Betis.
Trevoh Chalobah, who recently saw a loan spell with Crystal Palace cut short, has also been included, alongside Mathis Amougou, who penned a move from Saint-Etienne in January.
As for players who have been left out, there is no spot in the squad for Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, with the duo both battling long-term injuries.
However, it was the continued inclusion of Mykhailo Mudryk that raised eyebrows the most, given the Ukrainian ace hasn’t featured in a match of any kind since late November.
Mudryk was then provisionally suspended by the Football Association in mid-December after news broke that he’d failed a drugs test.
Read more…
Mykhailo Mudryk has been named in Chelsea’s Conference League squad (Image: Getty)
The winger denies ever having taken any banned substances, but it’s claimed the test returned positive for prohibited substance meldonium.
It’s unclear when Mudryk will return to football following the provisional ban.
Posting on at the time, he said: “This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
“I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”
Don’t miss… [READ] [FOOTBALL] [NEWS]
In a statement at the time, said: “ Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
“Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances.
“Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding. The club will not be commenting any further.”
‘s Conference League campaign continues in early March.