{"id":6536,"date":"2026-09-30T19:08:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T19:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6536"},"modified":"2026-09-30T19:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T19:08:29","slug":"xabi-alonso-could-hand-out-two-chelsea-debuts-in-next-game-vs-bournemouth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6536","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso could hand out two Chelsea debuts in next game vs Bournemouth"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso has had to slowly embed his new signings into life at Chelsea, however two more have their first opportunity to feature when the Blues return to action after the international break.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea have had a number of injury problems disrupt their beginning of the season, with Moises Caicedo yet to start a game<\/a> for them in this campaign.<\/p>\n

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Fitness issues in the heart of midfield saw Alonso hand first starts to both Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, while teenager Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli was handed his debut<\/a> for the club.<\/p>\n

Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra could make Chelsea debuts vs Bournemouth<\/h2>\n

A three-week international break allows some of the injured players at Stamford Bridge more time to recover, with both Emmanuel Emegha<\/a> and Marco Palestra<\/a> involved in training at Cobham.<\/p>\n

Both are therefore in contention to make their first competitive appearance for the Blues when they are back in Premier League action against Bournemouth on October 10.<\/p>\n

Emegha\u2019s return comes at the perfect time for Alonso as he braces for a potential period of time without Joao Pedro available for action. The Brazil international pulled out of international duty due to an injury.<\/p>\n

Pedro has seen a knee specialist during the international break<\/a> in an attempt to accelerate his recovery, however there is a chance he will be unavailable for their first game back in action.<\/p>\n

Alonso has been presented the option of starting Morgan Rogers up front<\/a> after he played the role in the final moments of England\u2019s Nations League victory against Czechia.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea signed more experienced players this summer to get SERIOUS! What impact has it made on the team so far? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Danny Welbeck remains an option, and he has been amongst the goals in the EFL Cup already. However, he cut a frustrated and isolated figure in their defeat to Brentford.<\/p>\n

Emegha was a regular goalscorer when fit for Strasbourg, and will be desperate to get off to a strong start after his transfer to Chelsea did not come with a great deal of fanfare.<\/p>\n

Palestra meanwhile has the opportunity to nail down a starting role in the side in the wing-back position, having played on both sides during pre-season.<\/p>\n

Pedro Neto has been a shoo-in to play on the right so far, but will face competition after Alonso was the driving force behind signing the Italy international in the first place.<\/p>\n

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