Xabi Alonso has been keeping his Chelsea players busy in training ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton at the weekend.
Fresh from a 5-1 win against Bournemouth, Chelsea players were in high spirits at Cobham as Xabi Alonso put his players to work this week.
Braces from Jordan Henderson and Joao Pedro, plus a Morgan Rogers strike, ensured the Blues left Stamford Bridge with all three points on Saturday. The result means Chelsea are now sixth in the Premier League, level on points with Everton (fifth) and Brentford (fourth).
Interestingly, the west Londoners face the Toffees, who are yet to taste defeat in the league this season, in a lunchtime kick-off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Ahead of the clash, Alonso has been hard at work on the training ground and below are five things football.london mentioned in the last training videos.
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Caicedo in the gym
Moises Caicedo started in the win against the Cherries and his return was a welcome boost. The midfielder has spent most of the season on the sidelines but played 72 minutes on Saturday before being substituted and receiving a standing ovation.
“It’s a great feeling to be back in the team and there’s no better way than to come back with a win,” Caicedo said after the match. “Honestly, it was a difficult moment, I couldn’t be with the team, but now I’m finally back. I just want to be with the team every moment, so I’m very happy to be back.”
Everyone will now be hoping Caicedo stays fit and the Ecuador international was spotted at the gym in Cobham on Tuesday. There was also Pep Chavarria, who even volleyed a soccer ball while doing strength work in the gym.
Palmer and Lacroix moment
Cole Palmer is in form that scares defenders. The Englishman has four goals and three assists in eight games this season and is part of a devastating front three that includes himself, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers.
Maxence Lacroix, a £52million summer signing from Crystal Palace, has proven himself a valuable asset to Alonso, starting seven of Chelsea’s eight games this season. The Frenchman could feel a bit isolated in training. In one of the pictures, Palmer could be seen dribbling the ball while facing Lacroix. At least the centre-back won’t have to worry about Palmer in the real match anymore!
Not James
Rhys James did not appear in any of the training pictures released by Chelsea. The Blues captain suffered a knee injury in Saturday afternoon’s clash against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, which ruled him out of the matchday squad.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Alonso said that James “felt something”. The Blues manager said: “Yes, he felt something, but after doing the tests this afternoon. He had some minor problems with his knee, so we have to see how long it lasts. We will assess it week by week.”
James is now a serious doubt for the clash with Everton and it remains to be seen whether the defender will feature in any of the Blues’ remaining four matches in October. Jamie Gittens (foot injury) also did not feature during the session.
João Pedro and Rogers
It’s fair to say that Joao Pedro (five goals and three assists in six games) and Rogers (four goals and four assists in eight games) have started the season brightly. You seriously can’t tell that Rogers has only been at the club for a few months after his £117million move from Aston Villa.
The pair, along with Palmer, had already had a fractious relationship, and they were photographed taking part in similar training sessions on Tuesday. Rogers and Joao Pedro, wearing yellow aprons, saw pinning balls during shooting practice, they didn’t need them!
Estevao is dribbling
Estevao Willian has made five Premier League appearances this season, but all of them have come off the bench and, in truth, the Brazilian has been a bit of a part-time player under Alonso so far. The 19-year-old’s talent is undeniable and he will get his chance at some point in the season.
Like Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro, Estevao wore a yellow shirt in training and showed off his dribbling ability by appearing on the ball. With four games in 14 days ahead, the winger will certainly get more opportunities this month.