Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has provided a positive update on Danny Welbeck ahead of the start of the Blues’ Premier League campaign, with the striker expected to return to training this weeekend, with enough time to prove his fitness.
Welbeck has been managing a minor issue, but Alonso has played down concerns over his availability and suggested the forward should be back with the squad shortly. The update will come as a boost to Chelsea fans and Fantasy Premier League managers monitoring Welbeck’s fitness ahead of the new season.
Chelsea will continue to monitor his fitness on a day-to-day basis before making a final decision on his involvement. Alonso’s latest comments in his pre-match press conference suggest there is no major concern, with Welbeck potentially in contention once he returns to full training.
"He can be involved. He just needs a couple of days not training that much because of a little thing. But we are expecting him to be back on Saturday. We need to go day by day, but that's the plan at the moment."
The striker is likely to play second fiddle to João Pedro after the Brazilian was handed the No.9 shirt for the new season. That hierarchy could become even clearer with Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap currently training away from the first team as they prepare for potential moves away from Stamford Bridge.
Other team news
Chelsea have received a largely clean bill of health ahead of the new season, with no fresh injury concerns reported within the squad. Those involved in the World Cup were given additional time off during pre-season, with their returns staggered after Chelsea’s Asia tour and likely to be eased back in
Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Morgan Rogers, Valentin Barco and Malo Gusto all returned before the final pre-season clash against Real Sociedad. Alonso has no concerns over their fitness and confirmed that the majority should be capable of playing either a significant number of minutes or the full game, depending on their position.
James, Rogers and Lacroix all started Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture, while Gusto and Fernandez were introduced from the bench. Their involvement could offer an early indication of Alonso’s thinking ahead of Monday’s West London derby and provide some clues as to who could make his starting XI for the Premier League opener.
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