Xabi Alonso could make a couple of big changes to the starting lineup when Chelsea face AC Milan in the penultimate friendly of the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea reacts prior to the preseason friendly between Chelsea and Juventus at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China
Cole Palmer could return to action this weekend(Image: Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Cole Palmer could return to action when Chelsea face AC Milan. The midfielder was spotted in training ahead of the Blues' clash against Ruben Amorim's side at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday.
On Wednesday, he and Levi Colwill were left out of the Chelsea squad to face Juventus as a precaution after suffering knocks in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. Although Xabi Alonso didn't provide an update ahead of the pre-season tour's penultimate match, Palmer was involved in first-team training on Friday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Indonesia Super Cup tie, the Blues manager outlined his plan to build 'great team spirit' and 'great culture'. As quoted by club media, Alonso said: "We want to have a great team spirit, and that is built on a daily basis with a great culture in the building.
"That helps in the moment you have to compete. You feel better having that togetherness, trust, and the bonds between the players are so important to ultimately building a winning mentality – and a team that can compete anywhere.
"So the football side is so important, but the mental side is as important. And the strength of the team is the most important," added Alonso. "This is the perfect time to get close to our supporters from Indonesia, or who can come to Jakarta.
"We know football is global, so while we’re based in London, we have great support everywhere, and we see blue shirts wherever we have been. We have been able to train and prepare [during pre-season], and I am very happy with the attitude and personality. We know that it’s a very important part of this tour."
On Wednesday, Robert Sanchez, who had been nursing a minor injury, returned to action, replacing Teddy Sharman-Lowe between the sticks. Mike Penders has since reported for duty following an extended holiday after the World Cup; having not yet featured for Alonso, he could be given the chance to impress against AC Milan.
Mike Penders
Mike Penders is set to compete with Robert Sanchez next season(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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The Chelsea manager only needs to make one change to the backline. If, like Palmer, Colwill has recovered from his knock, he should replace Tosin Adarabioyo and partner Wesley Fofana at centre-half.
If the Cobham graduate isn’t available from the off, Josh Acheampong needs the chance to prove his credentials in a back-four. Until the Blues wrap up a deal for Pep Chavarria, who looks set to become the seventh signing of the Alonso era, and welcome Reece James back into the squad, Jorrel Hato and Marco Palestra will likely remain at full-back.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli made a great impression during the defeat to Juventus on Wednesday, so he could very well make successive starts for Chelsea. The 16-year-old midfielder didn’t look out of place alongside Moises Caciedo, and could be a breakout star this season if Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are offloaded before the end of the transfer window.
Although Geovany Quenda showed a lot of excellent signs earlier last time out, he’ll likely be replaced by Estevao Willian on Saturday. They’re two brilliant talents who will probably be key players for Alonso this season, so he’ll be keen to carefully manage their minutes.
And finally, up top, the Blues manager could partner Palmer and Joao Pedro. In the absence of the former, the latter did well in a second-striker support role against Juventus, but Alonso will want the duo to combine again and build chemistry in the new system.
Predicted Chelsea starting lineup to face AC Milan in full: Mike Penders; Jorrel Hato, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Marco Palestra; Moises Caicedo, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli; Estevao Willian, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens; Joao Pedro.