Cole Palmer expected to return for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Cole Palmer is expected to return for Chelsea against Bournemouth on Saturday after using the international break for individual fitness work in the Caribbean following his England withdrawal.
Chelsea fitness board
| Item | Figure or status | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Palmer | 4 goals, 2 assists | Fast start to the Chelsea season |
| Moises Caicedo | 14 minutes played | Persistent calf problem has limited his campaign |
| Chelsea league position | 10th, 7 points | Five Premier League matches played |
The 24-year-old playmaker had been called into Thomas Tuchel’s England group for the latest Nations League games after recovering from a difficult previous season, when form and repeated fitness problems contributed to his omission from the World Cup squad. A minor muscle issue then forced him out of the latest camp.
Tuchel said Palmer’s absences were hurting his prospects with England, while stressing that the player was not to blame for being injured. The England boss said Palmer had missed too many camps and that selection decisions could only be based on players he is able to watch working within the squad.
Tuchel also warned that Palmer loses a chance to make an impression whenever he is unavailable, because the next stage of proving himself can only happen on the training field with the national team.
Palmer’s potential availability is a boost for Xabi Alonso, but Chelsea have several major concerns elsewhere before Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro remains doubtful after a knee problem ruled him out of the defeat at Brentford. The injury also kept the forward out of Brazil’s friendlies against Australia and India.
Captain Reece James missed the Brentford match with a hamstring complaint, leading to Pedro Neto being used as an emergency wing-back. Summer arrival Marco Palestra is yet to play competitively after a quadriceps injury delayed the 21-year-old right-back’s Chelsea debut. The £47 million signing joined from Atalanta and featured during pre-season.
Caicedo has been especially missed in midfield. The 24-year-old has managed only 14 minutes this season because of an ongoing calf issue and was left out of Ecuador’s latest squad.
Chelsea have taken seven points from their opening five league fixtures against Fulham, Brighton, Arsenal, Hull and Brentford, leaving Alonso’s team 10th. Saturday’s game offers a chance to ease the early pressure, although Bournemouth proved awkward opposition last term: the sides drew 0-0 at Bournemouth before a 2-2 match at Stamford Bridge.
