Cole Palmer and Ben Chilwell are among four senior players left out of Chelsea’s Conference League squad.
England forward Palmer, midfielder Romeo Lavia and defender Wesley Fofana have been purposely left out to manage their workload.
Chelsea could play about 80 matches this season in five competitions.
The decision was made to rest star man Palmer in the league phase of Europe’s third tier competition, with Lavia and Fofana working their way back from long-term injuries.
Chelsea can re-register the trio for the knockout rounds on 6 February when squads can be re-submitted.
Young midfielders Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka, and striker Marc Guiu have been selected in their place as the Blues look to spread minutes around fringe players in a competition they are strong favourites to win.
Left-back Chilwell, however, has been dropped and continues to be on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Enzo Maresca has told the England defender he has no future at Chelsea and Chilwell has been offered to multiple Premier League clubs this summer.
