Chelsea celebrate
Chelsea celebrate after Morgan Rogers' goal against Hull City(Image: Henry Nicholls/AFP)
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Xabi Alonso will be hoping the international break, which is an extended three weeks this time around, will be useful for a handful of his Chelsea players who have struggled with injuries so far this season.
Alonso has had to contend with numerous injury issues in his Blues squad in the first seven matches (in all competitions) of the new campaign. While having a fully fit squad at any stage of the season seems borderline impossible, Alonso will be hoping a few of his key players will be fit in time for when the international break is over.
Moises Caicedo has missed virtually all of the season so far due to a persistent calf injury. The 24-year-old made a 14-minute cameo appearance against his former club Brighton but was then taken off with a recurrence of the same calf issue.
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There was some hope from Chelsea that Caicedo would have been available for the defeat to Brentford before the break but the Ecuadorian couldn't get himself to 100% fitness in time. Alonso will be hoping three weeks of the midfielder working at the club's Cobham training centre will allow him the best opportunity to take on Bournemouth on October 10.
Marco Palestra is yet to kick a ball competitively for Chelsea since signing in the summer for £47million. The 21-year-old has been nursing a problem with his quad in the early stages of his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge but is getting closer to full fitness.
Palestra was mightily impressive for Chelsea during pre-season and there was such excitement from supporters coming into the new campaign when it came to the Italy international.
Joao Pedro has a knee injury that he suffered just prior to the international break. The 25-year-old forward then pulled out of the Brazil squad and has been working back in the UK to try and get himself fit and available as soon as possible.
Joao Pedro celebrates
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring the equaliser for Chelsea against Hull City(Image: Henry Nicholls/AFP)
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Cole Palmer is currently in the Caribbean undergoing an injury specific training and recovery plan, sources close to Chelsea say. The 24-year-old, who is assisted by a personal rehab coach during his time away, was withdrawn from the England squad due to a muscular problem.
Reece James was also not available for selection due to a hamstring injury. Unfortunately we do not know the full extent of the Chelsea captain's latest issue but the Blues will be hoping it is not one that keeps him out of action for too long.
If all of those players are ready and available for the visit of the Cherries, Chelsea will be in remarkably stronger position. Alonso hasn't been able to field what he would consider his best line-up during his short time as Blues manager but there could be scope to do that - or at least something close to it - against Bournemouth.
Xabi Alonso and Cole Palmer during Chelsea's draw with Hull City
Xabi Alonso chats with Cole Palmer during Chelsea's draw with Hull City(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
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There could also be scope for Wesley Fofana to be dropped from the back three. The position on the right-hand side of a three seems to come more naturally to Josh Acheampong, who has impressed while away with England Under-21s.
Fofana, who cost Chelsea £75m in the summer of 2022, was criticised for his role in the Blues' 3-0 defeat at Brentford earlier this month.
Dream Chelsea XI vs Bournemouth (3-4-3): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, James, Palestra; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro