Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso has been handed a major boost as Chelsea prepare for Friday’s west London derby against Brentford.
Chelsea have been without Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra because of injuries. All three players missed the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Hull City last Saturday.
Since then, it has been reported that Chelsea are hopeful that Palestra will be available for the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium. And there has now been another positive update regarding the defender.
Enzo Fernandez for Man City
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Marco Palestra training with Chelsea teammates again
According to journalist Kieran Gill, Palestra has resumed training with the rest of the first team. It means that the 21-year-old could be in line to make his competitive debut for Chelsea on Friday.
Palestra featured heavily for the Blues during pre-season, but he has not played a game for them yet in the Premier League or Carabao Cup because of his injury. However, it looks as though that could now change later this week.
If the trip to the Gtech comes too soon for Palestra, Pedro Neto is likely to continue in the right wing-back position if Alonso uses a 3-4-2-1 formation. Given the form that he has been in this season and the fact that Palestra is just returning, Neto will probably get the nod regardless.
Neto wanted to leave Chelsea in the summer but ended up staying and is now thriving under his new manager. He has scored two goals so far this season, with his second coming in Chelsea’s epic 6-3 win over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.