Chelsea manager Xavi Alonso has disclosed that Marco Palestra can return before the September 2026 international break, eyeing either the match against Brentford or Bournemouth for his competitive Chelsea debut. Palestra made an excellent impression during the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, playing both left and right wing-back. He was expected to be a key player for the Blues, particularly in the early stages of the campaign, having largely played in a back-three last term.
But, then, the Italy international suffered a knock in the build-up to the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign, and he’s not played since, let alone appeared on the bench.
As it stands, it remains unclear when exactly Palestra will be back in action In a chat with the club’s website ahead of today’s clash against Hull City, Alonso stated that Palestra could make his Chelsea debut against Brentford or Bournemouth. “He’s almost in the last stages of the recovery, so we will see. If not (fit for) Brentford, then Bournemouth for sure.
“He’s quite frustrated after a very good pre-season not to be able to play and to make his debut in the Premier League. “But I told Marco, “Easy, the season is long, there will be a lot of games, and you will play your role, you will have your minutes, you will enjoy your game.”