The longer the international break, the longer our Team News preview articles become. That’s because the three, instead of the usual two week FIFA window brought more injuries, recoveries and rehabilitations that we typically see during the internationals. And Chelsea, ahead of their visit from AFC Bournemouth, have a very long list of injury concerns, consisting of Reece James, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Emmanuel Emegha, Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Mike Penders and Joao Pedro.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. Oct 10, 3pm, Stamford Bridge, London, UK
Chelsea Detailed Full Injury List: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Result Probability via Google: Chelsea 57% Draw 22% Bournemouth 21%
Premier League Form, Standings: Aston Villa WWLDL, 10th, 7 pts Bournemouth LDDDL, 17th, 3 pts
Let’s start with Pedro, who is unlikely to feature on the weekend, due to a knee injury. At this time, he is not expected to be out too much longer than that, however.
Turning to Palmer, he missed England duty, this time around, to work on getting 100% over his nagging groin injury.
The rest/away from the national squad should help, and he should be fine to feature against the Cherries on Saturday.
Marco Palestra has finally returned to training, having overcome his undisclosed/unspecified muscular injury.
The summer transfer window acquisition should finally make his long-awaited debut in a blue shirt this weekend. We’ll see if Moises Caicedo, who has been battling a nagging calf problem, does as well.
The rest should help Caicedo.
Mike Penders (quad) Reece James (hamstring) and Emanuel Emegha (hamstring) should all be in contention to make the matchday squad while Jamie Gittens, who is a fresh injury concern with an ankle problem, is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.