Emegha back in Chelsea training after hamstring injury, eyes debut

📰 Chelsea striker Emegha has shaken off a hamstring injury and returned to full training, opening the door to a debut against Bournemouth on the 10th. 📌 Key points 🩹 The hamstring he injured in a July friendly has healed. ⚽ He rejoined full team training towards the end of the international break. 🧢 João Pedro is a doubt with a knee injury. 🏟️ The Bournemouth game on 10 October could be his Chelsea debut. 🗓️ Chelsea face a gruelling run of five games in 21 days. 📝 What happened 🩹 Emanuel Emegha injured his hamstring after scoring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bromley in July. That ruled him out of the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, and his only first-team involvement so far was a place on the bench for the Carabao Cup tie against Luton on 27 August. ⚽ According to football.london, Emegha returned to team training after individual work during the break. Around the same time, defender Marco Palestra also returned to training after a thigh injury. 🗣️ Xabi Alonso described Emegha as a big threat when playing up front with space to attack. He added that young players need patience, but that better opportunities would definitely come. 🔭 Chelsea are without a league win in three games, including a 3-0 defeat to Brentford just before the break. With João Pedro also withdrawn from the Brazil squad with a knee injury, Emegha gives them another option up front alongside Danny Welbeck. 📊 By the numbers • Emegha last season (Strasbourg): 18 games, 8 goals, 2 assists • Chelsea's October schedule: 5 games in 21 days • Result v Brentford: 3-0 defeat 🔭 Why it matters With João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Reece James among a long injury list, a new attacking option is a welcome boost for Chelsea. That said, a return to full training does not automatically mean a start. Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on 10 October.