Ahead of Chelsea's game against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, manager Xabi Alonso has given an update on key players such as Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, and Cole Palmer who all missed the recent international break through injury.
The Blues welcome Marco Rose's side to Stamford Bridge, with both sides looking to get back to winning ways, but both have their own injury worries. Bournemouth will be without Alex Scott after injuring himself on England duty, whereas Chelsea have been sweating on the fitness of multiple key players.
With the length of this previous international break being three weeks, despite Alonso not being the biggest fan of it, this extended break has allowed players such as Palmer, Pedro, and Caicedo to recharge their batteries and be fit for the return of the Premier League.
"If you ask me which way I prefer, with three weeks or two breaks or one be so long, I prefer the other way. This one is too long. I would do the way it was before."
Speaking to reporters at their Cobham Training Ground, Alonso revealed that Moises Caicedo will be fit to play on Saturday after playing minimal minutes this season, recovering from a persistent calf problem.
"Yes, he's ready to go. We have used the time with Moi to get him back fit. He's ready to go."
"Any team missing a player of his quality, his dynamic, we have missed him for sure. We are happy he is back and he feels better. We didn't want to take risks for Brentford, for example. He feels much better."
When asked about the availability of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Reece James, Alonso said, "Yes, they have been able to train, some of them more than others. Marco Palestra as well. That was the plan. They have trained well, and they are ready to go."
After impressing in the preseason, primarily as a right back or a left wing back, Palestra is yet to make his competitive Chelsea debut, after missing time through a quad injury, but Alonso hints at him making his Premier League bow.
However, Jamie Gittens will be missing the game against Bournemouth after being seen on crutches after England U21's match against Kazakhstan U21, after suffering an ankle injury, with Alonso stating, "He's not going to be fit for tomorrow; that's the bad news. He's injured his ankle, and he is going to be out for a few weeks."
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