Injury update on multiple Blues’ starters leaves just one major doubt for Bournemouth

Chelsea are trying to figure out who they can count on to be fit after the international break, with a number of players racing to return.

Kieran Gill’s Chelsea Confidential pieces are always interesting, but in the content desert of the international break they’re even more welcome.

The latest edition sees him look at a few subjects – but there’s nothing more pressing right now than the injury situation around multiple Blues who either missed last week’s loss to Brentford or subsequently pulled out of international duty.

Chelsea could have full strength side after well-timed break

Gill runs through them all, and it’s largely positive. Cole Palmer is “expected to be ready to start for Chelsea” after the break. Marco Palestra will certainly be available, and could even have played against Brentford, at a stretch.

Moises Caicedo is being treated very carefully, but now has three weeks to get up to speed. Reece James also looks likely to make it.

The one doubt is Joao Pedro, as there is a lack of information about the knee injury which meant he missed Brentford. There’s been talk of a three to four week layoff, which would put him right on the borderline to be ready to face Bournemouth.

One thing we’ve learned is to not expect anything concrete from Xabi Alonso in his pre-match press conference…

In other news…

A ranking of the top 50 players in the Premier League produced 4 Chelsea names, which seems pretty reasonable, all things considered.

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been speaking about Xabi Alonso and how important it is to give him time and patience.