Positive signs are coming back for Chelsea with the international break coming at a perfect time for Xabi Alonso after what could be described as a difficult and indifferent start to his career in West London.
The club returns to action following the end of the international break on October 10 with a home game against AFC Bournemouth.
There is still no clear timeframe for Moises Caicedo or Joao Pedro to return, while Cole Palmer is expected to be fit and available for the game.
The Chelsea manager could be in a position to hand out two Chelsea debuts after the international break, with Marco Palestra seen pictured in full training and looking competitive for a return in the wing back position.
The other star pictured in training and yet to feature competitively is Emmanuel Emegha, who is unlikely going to start over a returning Joao Pedro but will offer something different to Danny Welbeck, who is his obvious replacement.
Both players are yet to feature for Chelsea competitively since their arrivals in the summer and will be eager to make their debut for the club.
Marco Palestra
The Italian is expected to play a key role in Xabi Alonso’s system, with his versatility allowing him to operate at both right and left wing-back. It was therefore a bitter blow when he suffered an injury in training before the first game of the season.
He picked up a quad problem ahead of the Fulham game and has been sidelined ever since, with Alonso remaining coy over when he could return but was optimistic for the Bournemouth game.
"The injury is something on the quad. He's almost in the last stages of the recovery, so we will see. If [he is] not [fit for] Brentford, then Bournemouth for sure"
Emmanuel Emegha
Emegha was ruled out of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia after suffering a hamstring injury and has had a difficult start after moving to his new club.
Before that setback, the Dutchman, who joined Chelsea from BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, had already found the net in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Crawley and Bromley to kick-start the Alonso era.
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