Chelsea have entered an extended international break with 10 senior players currently confirmed for duty across Europe and South America.
Xabi Alonso’s side will not return to Premier League action until Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday 10 October.
The pause comes after a difficult 3-0 defeat at Brentford, leaving Alonso with several issues to address at Cobham while much of his squad travels abroad.
The new international calendar combines the September and October windows, with national-team fixtures running from 21 September until 6 October.
Chelsea’s official international tracker currently lists players travelling with Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, England, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.
Here is the full Chelsea state of play.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers join England
Cole Palmer returns to the England squad after being selected by Thomas Tuchel alongside Chelsea team-mate Morgan Rogers.
Palmer’s recall comes after he missed England’s World Cup campaign but began the new Premier League season strongly.
England’s official squad announcement confirms four UEFA Nations League fixtures during the extended window.
England vs Spain – Saturday 26 September, 7.45pm
Czechia vs England – Tuesday 29 September, 7.45pm
Croatia vs England – Saturday 3 October, 5pm
England vs Czechia – Tuesday 6 October, 7.45pm
Palmer’s minutes will be particularly important for Chelsea to monitor before Bournemouth.
Rogers is also becoming increasingly important to Alonso after establishing himself alongside Palmer in Chelsea’s attacking structure.
Estêvão travels with Brazil after João Pedro withdrawal
Estêvão Willian will join Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for three international friendlies.
João Pedro had originally been recalled alongside his Chelsea team-mate but subsequently withdrew because of injury.
The forward had already been left out of Chelsea’s starting XI at Brentford, with ReadChelsea covering João Pedro’s latest injury setback.
Brazil’s schedule is:
Australia vs Brazil – Friday 25 September, 7am
Australia vs Brazil – Tuesday 29 September, 7am
India vs Brazil – Saturday 3 October, 3pm
The trip provides another opportunity for Estêvão to earn senior minutes.
That will attract particular attention after ReadChelsea revealed that Estêvão has played only 47 Premier League minutes under Alonso.
His performances with Brazil could strengthen his case for a larger Chelsea role after the break.
Emiliano Martínez and Valentín Barco called up by Argentina
Two Chelsea players will represent Argentina.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and summer arrival Valentín Barco have both been selected for Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
Unlike many European nations, Argentina will play three friendlies during the window.
Argentina vs Bolivia – Wednesday 30 September
Argentina vs Burkina Faso – Saturday 3 October
Argentina vs Benin – Tuesday 6 October
Kick-off times for the matches are still to be confirmed.
Martínez has established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper since arriving in the summer.
Barco, meanwhile, started the Brentford defeat after being handed a major role in Alonso’s system.
Their final international fixture falls only four days before Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge, making their return schedule worth monitoring.
Roméo Lavia and Mike Penders head away with Belgium
Roméo Lavia has earned a Belgium recall after returning to fitness with Chelsea.
Goalkeeper Mike Penders is also included.
Belgium face a demanding four-game Nations League programme.
Italy vs Belgium – Friday 25 September, 7.45pm
Belgium vs France – Monday 28 September, 7.45pm
Belgium vs Türkiye – Friday 2 October, 7.45pm
France vs Belgium – Monday 5 October, 7.45pm
Lavia’s workload will be particularly significant for Alonso.
Chelsea have carefully managed the midfielder’s minutes during the opening weeks of the season after previous fitness problems.
He was available from the bench against Brentford after starting the 2-2 draw against Hull City.
Maxence Lacroix earns France call-up
Maxence Lacroix has been selected by new France head coach Zinedine Zidane.
The centre-back has featured regularly during Alonso’s first weeks at Chelsea and started the defeat at Brentford.
France begin their Nations League campaign away to Türkiye before facing Belgium, Italy and Belgium again.
Türkiye vs France – Friday 25 September, 7.45pm
Belgium vs France – Monday 28 September, 7.45pm
France vs Italy – Friday 2 October, 7.45pm
France vs Belgium – Monday 5 October, 7.45pm
Lacroix’s international involvement comes at an important time for Chelsea.
The Blues entered the break having conceded 12 goals across five Premier League matches.
His performances for France will therefore be another useful indicator before Alonso begins preparations for Bournemouth.
Jorrel Hato selected by the Netherlands
Jorrel Hato has been included in Xavi Hernández’s first Netherlands squad.
The defender will have four opportunities to feature during the Nations League window.
Netherlands vs Germany – Thursday 24 September, 7.45pm
Serbia vs Netherlands – Sunday 27 September, 5pm
Greece vs Netherlands – Thursday 1 October, 7.45pm
Netherlands vs Serbia – Sunday 4 October, 7.45pm
Hato has already operated in several defensive roles for Chelsea this season.
Those international minutes could be useful as Alonso continues to assess his preferred defensive structure.
Pedro Neto joins Portugal
Pedro Neto completes Chelsea’s current senior international contingent.
The winger has been selected by new Portugal boss Jorge Jesus.
Portugal’s Nations League schedule includes:
Portugal vs Wales – Thursday 24 September, 7.45pm
Norway vs Portugal – Sunday 27 September, 7.45pm
Denmark vs Portugal – Thursday 1 October, 7.45pm
Portugal vs Norway – Sunday 4 October, 7.45pm
Neto started at wing-back against Brentford before being replaced late in the game.
His role for Portugal will be worth watching given the different demands Alonso has placed on him at Chelsea.
Which Chelsea players remain at Cobham?
Several important senior players are currently set to remain with Chelsea during the international window.
Reece James and Levi Colwill were not selected in England’s latest squad, while Moisés Caicedo has been dealing with the fitness problem which kept him out at Brentford.
João Pedro will also remain at club level after withdrawing from the Brazil squad through injury.
Chelsea captain James was unavailable for the Brentford defeat, while Caicedo’s absence left Alonso without one of his most important defensive midfielders.
Marco Palestra has only recently returned from the quadriceps problem that delayed his competitive Chelsea debut.
ReadChelsea covered Palestra’s return to first-team contention before Brentford.
Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Jordan Henderson, Pep Chavarría and Jamie Gittens are also not currently listed among Chelsea’s senior international call-ups.
That leaves Alonso with a useful group at Cobham as he attempts to address Chelsea’s defensive problems during the break.
Chelsea return against Bournemouth
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture comes against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 10 October.
The international programme ends four days earlier on 6 October.
That creates a relatively short turnaround for players involved in the final Nations League fixtures.
Alonso will therefore be monitoring minutes, injuries and travel as closely as performances.
This tracker will be updated throughout the international break with appearances, goals, assists, injuries and return information for every Chelsea player away with their country.
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