Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Championship outfit Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly at their Cobham training base at the weekend. Sources have described the fixture as more of an extended training session than a rigorous test, which takes the edge off any immediate cause for alarm.
The game was set up to give minutes to players still at the club during the long international break before Bournemouth came to Stamford Bridge on October 10, a three-week gap since they last played a competitive fixture. Portsmouth, coached by John Mousinho, are currently 19th in the Championship, with two wins from their seven league games.
No team sheet has been confirmed, but reports suggest a likely mix of senior players and academy graduates due to international duties. Academy hopefuls Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli were missing as they were involved with England Under-17s against Germany on Sunday.
But the game followed a 3-0 league loss at Brentford before the break and has added to the scrutiny of Xabi Alonso’s defensive organisation. The two clubs have not met in a competitive match since a 4-0 Chelsea victory in the FA Cup third round at Stamford Bridge in January 2012.
Chelsea Signing Marco Palestra Eyes Bournemouth Return
Palestra, a £47m summer signing, is expected to be used at right-back or right wing-back when he returns to full match fitness. The Italian has missed the opening weeks of the campaign through injury, and reports suggest the Cobham friendly was a good opportunity for him to rack up some minutes.
The Bournemouth game has been flagged as the date of the defender’s return. Alonso is said to have pinpointed that game as the one in which he would return, and the manager has admitted the frustration the player felt while on the sidelines. There are also reports that Gusto’s future is up in the air, which would add to the importance of Palestra on Alonso’s right flank.
Chelsea also have the likes of Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck available, although the status of Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro is unclear. Academy defender Tayo Subuloye, who has been training regularly with the senior group, was also expected to feature, and the Blues now face five matches in October.