Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
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Chelsea are set to face Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly this weekend.
The Blues have organised the game to bridge the long gap between their last Premier League fixture - the woeful 3-0 defeat at Brentford on September 18 - and the next against Bournemouth on October 10 for those players who have not been called up by their respective countries for this extended three-week international break.
Chelsea have a strong cohort of players who have been working at Cobham during this period, with the match against Portsmouth offering the chance for the majority of them to keep ticking over, or others the opportunity to step up their respective returns from injury.
That is the case for summer signings Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha, both of whom have yet to make their competitive debuts for the club after initially impressing during pre-season.
It is an important game for Palestra in particular to showcase his readiness to play once the Premier League returns, with the Italian likely to line up at right-back or right wing-back.
Emegha could lead an attack also featuring the likes of fellow summer recruit Danny Welbeck, though it depends if the Dutch forward has now recovered fully from a hamstring injury sustained in July during another behind-closed-doors friendly against Bromley.
There could also be a rare senior outing for Kendry Paez, who is not part of Xabi Alonso’s first-team plans this season after difficult loan spells at BlueCo sister club Strasbourg and River Plate, but has featured for Chelsea’s Under-21s.
Key opportunity: Marco Palestra should line up for Chelsea against Portsmouth
It remains to be seen whether Cole Palmer will be considered having pulled out of the England squad last week and been working abroad on an individual programme with a Chelsea fitness coach, while Reece James’ current status is also unknown after missing out on selection by Thomas Tuchel due to a hamstring injury.
Moises Caicedo was not called up by Ecuador for their latest friendlies after a calf injury that has disrupted his season so far, but he was said to be close to being involved against Brentford.
Standout Chelsea youngsters Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli will both be involved for the England U17s against Germany on Sunday, so are unavailable here.
It is conceivable that Alonso could use one or two players from the Cobham Next Gen side to fill squad places against Portsmouth, though they would obviously have to be chosen from the contingent not currently away on internationals.
Joao Pedro has been receiving treatment from a knee specialist after withdrawing from the Brazil squad, while Jamie Gittens injured his ankle playing for England’s U21s last week.
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Predicted Chelsea XI to face Portsmouth (3-4-3): Sharman-Lowe; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo, Henderson, Chavarria; Paez, Welbeck, Emegha