Chelsea defender Marco Palestra is closing in on a return after missing the start of the season with a quad injury, as per latest news. The 21-year-old has yet to play a competitive game for the Blues, but he has now returned to training and could soon get his first taste of action under Xabi Alonso.
Marco Palestra nearing long-awaited return
Palestra arrived at Chelsea in the summer for a reported £47m fee after impressing during pre-season. His early displays created plenty of excitement, but an injury picked up before the trip to Fulham stopped him from making his planned Premier League debut. His most recent appearance for Chelsea came against Real Sociedad on August 15. Palestra played 76 minutes in that match, which was the final friendly of the club’s pre-season schedule.
As reported by football.london, Palestra has been frustrated by the delay and is eager to finally begin his Chelsea career. Alonso has also spoken about the youngster’s disappointment, while reminding him that there will be plenty of opportunities during a long season.
The Italian defender has been working his way back to full fitness and has been training with the Chelsea players who remained at Cobham during the international break. The next step could now come in a behind-closed-doors game against Portsmouth. Palestra is expected to feature in that match, giving him a chance to gain minutes before the competitive schedule resumes.
Alonso sees Palestra as a key option
Alonso was a major influence in Chelsea’s decision to sign Palestra. The manager sees him as a natural fit for a system that relies heavily on wing-backs and values players who can cover more than one position. Palestra can play on both sides, which gives Alonso another tactical option. That versatility has already been visible in his early work with the club.
The manager has praised the player’s Italian football education and his ability to switch between the two flanks. His energy is another quality that has stood out, although Alonso has also admitted that Palestra sometimes needs to control his enthusiasm.
His absence has forced Chelsea to use other players in those roles. Pedro Neto has been playing on the right, while Jorrel Hato and Pep Chavarria have seen time on the left. Palestra’s return could therefore give Alonso another specialist option rather than relying on players playing out of position.
Chelsea Football Stadium - Stamford Bridge
Marco Palestra’s Serie A stats at Fiorentina for the 2025/26 season, as per
FOTMOB:
Appearances Assists Defensive contributions Duels won(%)
37 4 120 59.6%
Chelsea prepare Palestra for first-team action
Even if Palestra is fit soon, Chelsea are unlikely to give him a full game right away. He has been out for several weeks, so the club will want to bring him back slowly.
A private game against Portsmouth could help. It would give Palestra a chance to test his fitness in a match without the pressure of a Premier League game. Chelsea will face Bournemouth after the international break. That could give Palestra another chance to return. His place in the squad will depend on how he feels after his next game and how well he handles the minutes. The defender’s versatility could become especially useful as the season becomes more demanding. Chelsea are competing across domestic and European football, so Alonso will need several options in the wing-back positions.
For now, the priority is simply getting Palestra back on the pitch. His strong pre-season showed why Chelsea invested heavily in him, but he still has to regain his rhythm after the injury. The upcoming behind-closed-doors fixture could provide an important first step. Chelsea will hope Palestra comes through it well and can then build towards his long-awaited competitive debut.