Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The extended international break is on the horizon, with Chelsea’s last game before the break coming on Friday night – and Xabi Alonso is under pressure to give the green light to Roberto Mancini.
As is the case among the best squads in Europe, Chelsea will have plenty of their players jetting off to represent their countries over the next few weeks. But Alonso won’t want to lose his injured players.
On Tuesday, Marco Palestra finally returned to Chelsea training alongside Jordan Henderson. However, Reece James, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo were all missing from Chelsea training on Tuesday.
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Roberto Mancini awaits green light to call-up Marco Palestra
Alonso’s first signing, Marco Palestra, is yet to make his competitive debut for Chelsea. The £47m star sparkled during pre-season for the Blues, but an injury has prevented Palestra from making his debut.
Xabi Alonso on Marco Palestra
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With Jorrel Hato’s performance described as “terrible” against Hull and Pedro Neto playing out of position as a wing-back, the need for Palestra to recover quickly is higher than ever under Alonso.
He could well make his debut against Brentford if he comes through training well this week. But Alonso has a big decision to make regarding Palestra and whether he is called up for Italy ahead of Brentford.
Indeed, Corriere Dello Sport claim Roberto Mancini wants Palestra in his squad during the break, and Italy are confident they will be allowed to include Palestra when Mancini confirms his squad list on Friday.
Xabi Alonso has to stand firm and reject Roberto Mancini’s call
As aforementioned, Palestra’s importance to Chelsea has grown while he remains on the sidelines. The need for a flying wing-back, especially one that can play on either side, is key. Palestra is that man.
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The Blues need him fit. Palestra is an explosive player; it is important he has fully recovered from his injury. Mancini is awaiting the green light from Chelsea to include Palestra, but Alonso has to say no.
How can he allow a key player, just back from injury to go and represent Italy during the break? He needs more time to recover, more time in training. Allowing him to play for Italy increases risk of another injury.
This is another new challenge in what has already been an incredibly challenging start to life as Chelsea manager. But Alonso has to risk forming a tricky relationship with Mancini, to allow Palestra to stay fit.