COLE PALMER toasted his first taste of Conference League football with a beer. The Chelsea star played in the tournament for the first time this season in the 2-1 win over Copenhagen in Denmark.

But a bigger sign of his lack of confidence right now came when he was played through one-on-one against Emiliano Martinez. Palmer hesitated, slipped and failed to get a decent shot off, something unthinkable in the first 18 months of his Chelsea career.

REECE JAMES ensured Chelsea will have a lead to defend at Stamford Bridge next week despite not being at the races. Enzo Maresca would have been scratching his head at half-time after the Blues

Chelsea’s bid to set a record their European rivals will never want to match just about remained on track in Copenhagen, but there was more frustration for Cole Palmer.

It’s worrying times at Chelsea after defeat to Aston Villa last night.Nizaar Kinsella’s piece for the BBC today points to some scary signs in terms of body language and behaviours from the player

Tyrique George got almost 60% as well, but there was no way to fit him in ahead of Reece James, who just barely edged out Malo Gusto at right back. Josh Acheampong (41%) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (46%) also achieved solid numbers in the voting.