£47m Palestra back in full training, in line for debut v Bournemouth

📰 Marco Palestra, signed for £47m this summer, is back in first-team training and in line for a possible debut against Bournemouth. 📌 Key points 💰 Chelsea signed him from Atalanta for £47m this summer. 🩹 A thigh injury in August has kept him from a competitive debut. 🏃 He returned to full first-team training at Cobham during the break. 🔁 He can play at wing-back on either side. 🗓️ The Bournemouth game on 10 October is tipped as his debut. 📝 What happened 🩹 The 21-year-old defender impressed in pre-season but picked up a thigh injury in training just before the opening game against Fulham, and has spent the weeks since in rehab without a competitive appearance. 🏃 According to the Evening Standard and Sports Illustrated, Palestra was back in first-team training at Cobham during the international break. Striker Emmanuel Emegha, who had been out with a hamstring problem, also returned. 🗣️ Xabi Alonso had earlier said Palestra was quite frustrated not to be playing after such a good pre-season, while urging patience because the season is long and there will be plenty of games. 🩼 Chelsea's injury list is still long, though. Moises Caicedo (calf), Joao Pedro (knee), Cole Palmer (muscle), Reece James (hamstring) and Jamie Gittens (ankle) all remain out. 📊 By the numbers • Fee: £47m • Age: 21 • Caicedo's minutes this season: 14 • Bournemouth game: 10 October 🔭 Why it matters With injuries piling up, an extra option at wing-back is a real boost for Chelsea. After such a long lay-off, though, it is Alonso's call whether to start him straight away against Bournemouth or ease him in from the bench.