Marco Palestra
Marco Palestra is yet to feature for Chelsea this season due to injury(Image: Pedro Porru/MB Media)
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When Xabi Alonso was appointed Chelsea manager earlier this year, the Spaniard made it clear to the club's sporting leadership team that a flexible wing-back needed to be signed.
With Alonso having so much success with a 3-4-3 in the past, he wanted an athletic, energetic and versatile option for the wide midfield spots. In Marco Palestra, Alonso, working with the club's team of sporting directors, identified the perfect candidate.
Beating Inter Milan to the 21-year-old's signature, the Blues confirmed the £47million - including add-ons - signing at the start of July after agreeing a deal with Atalanta. Palestra was used in both wing-back roles in pre-season and excelled in doing so. Chelsea supporters were excited to see how Palestra fared in the Premier League.
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However, just days before Chelsea's top-flight opener away at Fulham, Palestra suffered a quad injury. Almost a month on from that night at Craven Cottage, the Blues have played six matches in all competitions and the Italian defender is yet to make an appearance.
football.london understands the Italy international was doing some individual training last week while his teammates were gearing up for Saturday afternoon's 2-2 draw with Hull City.
There is some hope from Alonso's side that Palestra will be available for the first time this season when Chelsea make the short trip to Brentford on Friday evening. If not, though, Alonso said the Italian will be "for sure" back for the Blues' first game back from the international break, against Bournemouth on October 10.
New Chelsea signing Marco Palestra
Marco Palestra impressed for Chelsea in pre-season but has been injured since(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Speaking of the international break, Alonso could do with a favour from Roberto Mancini. The newly-appointed Azzurri boss is set to pick his first squad in the coming days for their upcoming Nations League fixtures with Belgium, France and Turkey (x2).
In normal circumstances, highly-rated Palestra would be one of the first names on the squad list. Whether Mancini is cautious with the new Chelsea signing given his injury and the fact he hasn't played yet this season remains to be seen.
Alonso may well be hoping that is the case. It is, however, a win-win for Chelsea because even if Palestra does get picked, at least he will be getting some competitive minutes as he looks to return to match sharpness as soon as possible.
After the weekend's draw with Hull, where both full-backs in the form of Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato failed to impress, Chelsea supporters are desperate for Palestra to return to the pitch at the earliest possible time.
Xabi Alonso in conversation with Marco Palestra
Xabi Alonso played a big part in Chelsea signing Marco Palestra (Image: David Gray - AFP)
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From Palestra's perspective, too, it has been an extremely frustrating start to life as a Chelsea player, particularly after such a promising showing during pre-season. Speaking about the Italian's mindset in last week's press conference, Alonso said: "He's frustrated.
"I tell him, 'Marco, easy, the situation is long, there will be a lot of games, you will play your role, you will have your minutes, you will enjoy your game.' But he is full of energy and you need to control that."