Chelsea fans were left puzzled when star man Cole Palmer was taken off at half-time during the Blues’ 3-0 Europa Conference League win over Legia Warsaw.

The decision sparked a wave of speculation across social media. Was it an injury? Was something wrong?

Thankfully, Enzo Maresca has moved quickly to put all concerns to rest.

Speaking after the match, Maresca confirmed the decision was entirely pre-planned. “We planned for him and Tosin to come off on 45 minutes,” the Chelsea head coach stated. This tactical call ensured key players were preserved, with a busy Premier League schedule ahead.

The substitution, therefore, had nothing to do with injury or performance. It was simply a case of squad rotation — something Maresca is increasingly prioritising as Chelsea continue their push on multiple fronts.