Chelsea is not shining in the Premier League, but they are the top favorites to win the consolation prize—the UEFA Conference League, the weakest international competition. Enzo Maresca played the league phase of this tournament mostly with a second-string team, yet even such a Chelsea side was dominant.Now, there is no more room for calculations—the Italian coach will field his strongest possible lineup in the knockout stages of the European competition. Among those available is the team’s star, Cole Palmer, who was not even registered for the group stage last summer (six matches). Chelsea visits Parken Stadium in Copenhagen today (20.45) for the first leg of the Conference League round of 16.MATCHDAY! 💫 We take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the #UECL. 🙌#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/YtAmUHmtZK— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2025 Palmer has not been as lethal this season as he was last. He hasn’t scored in seven matches and hasn’t provided an assist in 14 games—a slump for the Englishman who shone at the start of the Premier League campaign. When his form dropped, so did Chelsea’s, but they still have a chance to salvage the season by securing a Champions League spot from fifth place.”If he is in the squad, he can certainly play minutes. Cole loves playing, he doesn’t even like missing training. He won’t always score, that’s normal, but I am satisfied with how he has played, even in the last matches against Southampton and Aston Villa,” Maresca said.Enzo Maresca on playing Copenhagen. pic.twitter.com/54ZX0RCGsT— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) March 6, 2025 The squad situation at the two-time European champions is improving. The Italian coach will have Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile available. Frenchman Wesley Fofana is also returning to match fitness but is not registered for this competition. Still unavailable are Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, and the suspended Ukrainian, Mykhaylo Mudryk.Chelsea had been in terrible form, suffering three consecutive defeats and getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton. However, they bounced back ten days ago with a 4-0 win over bottom-placed Southampton, hinting at better days ahead.Copenhagen is in good form in the Danish league, picking up 10 points from their last four matches. In the previous round, they eliminated German side Heidenheim despite losing the first leg at Parken (1-2). A dramatic goal by Hoeska in the 114th minute secured a 3-1 victory in the return leg and a place among the competition’s last 16.Chelsea player’s odd daily routine: watching a cartoon?!Last weekend, they played a goalless draw against Aalborg. The hosts are also missing key players, with Andreas Cornelius, Oliver Hojer, Lukas Lerager, Nicolai Boilesen, and Swedish duo Jordan Larsson and Roony Bardghji all sidelined.UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16First legThursday20.45: (1.55) Betis (4.00) Guimaraes (6.50)20.45: (5.80) Copenhagen (4.10) Chelsea (1.65)20.45: (2.35) Molde (3.45) Legia (3.20)20.45: (3.10) Panathinaikos (3.30) Fiorentina (2.35)23.00: (3.60) Borac BL (3.35) Rapid Wien (2.10)23.00: (2.55) Celje (3.35) Lugano (2.75)23.00: (2.00) Jagielonia (3.45) Cercle Brugge (3.80)23.00: (1.65) Paphos (3.75) Djurgarden (5.60)***odds are subject to change***
