Chelsea players who are not on international duty have stepped up their preparations ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.
Xabi Alonso has put Chelsea players through their paces ahead of this weekend’s clash. The Blues will look to climb back into the Premier League on Saturday when they lock horns with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dropped to 10th in England’s top flight after defeat to Brentford before the international break, with just one point keeping them in the top half of the table. The Blues have enjoyed a promising start to the new season, beating Fulham and Brighton.
Chelsea then lost to Arsenal and drew with Hull City before Keith Andrews’ side suffered another defeat. Fortunately, the Spaniard had about two weeks to stabilize the ship.
Levi Colwill, one of the few players not to report for international duty, immediately set the tone at half-time. The defender of “Blues” made a statement to the club press and said:[There have been] some good bits, some not so good.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and more via our dedicated Facebook page
“Luckily now we have time to try and improve. Hopefully we’ll come out the other side flying, pick up our game and be a better team.”
So with that being said, football.london looked at five things you missed in Chelsea training this week.
Emegha rebuilds fitness
Emmanuel Emegha has stepped up his preparations ahead of his long-awaited competitive debut for Chelsea. The Blues striker picked up the injury during a friendly behind closed doors against Bromley in July and has not featured since.
Ahead of the international break, Alonso included Emega in his squad to face Brentford. However, the 23-year-old remains out.
With Joao Pedro injured, Emegha could finally make his competitive debut for Chelsea this weekend. Given the nature of the muscle injury and Danny Welbeck’s ability to lead the line in the meantime, the Netherlands international looks unlikely to start.
Not Caicedo
Moises Caicedo has not been seen in action at the club’s training base in Surrey until this week, nursing a pre-season calf injury. The Chelsea midfielder missed the first two games of the new Premier League season and came off the bench in the third, where he lasted no more than a quarter of an hour.
Alonso later apologized for bringing him back, and it is currently unclear when he will return to action. Caicedo was not called up by Ecuador for friendlies against South Korea, Japan and Panama, giving him time to recharge.
The Chelsea wonder steps up
Mehdi Nikol-Jazuli was again involved in the training of the main team. While Reggie Watson is on tour with England U-17s, the Chelsea prodigy has had the opportunity to work closely with Alonso on the grass at Cobham and potentially step up to the plate.
He came off the bench against Brentford before the international break, becoming the first player born in 2010 to play in the Premier League and the Blues’ youngest player in the Premier League.
Welbeck sharpens his tools
In the absence of Joao Pedro, Welbeck could lead the Chelsea front line this weekend. The Blues striker is sharpening his tools on the grass at Cobham as he looks to open his Premier League account with three points in the Carabao Cup.
Fofana continues her nursing challenge
Wesley Fofana continued to nurse his injury. During the international break, the Chelsea defender wore a bandage covering his hand and wrist, but it has not affected his ability to play, which is encouraging for Alonso.