Chelsea are set to face Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly this weekend, with the Blues organising the game to bridge the long gap between their last Premier League fixture and their next.
Why the friendly was arranged
The match comes after Chelsea's woeful 3-0 defeat at Brentford on September 18, with the next league game against Bournemouth scheduled for October 10. The friendly offers playing time for those players not called up by their respective countries during the extended three-week international break.
A strong cohort of players have been working at Cobham during this period, with the Portsmouth match offering the majority of them the chance to keep ticking over, while others can step up their respective returns from injury.
Key players set to feature
Summer signings Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha have yet to make their competitive debuts for the club after initially impressing during pre-season. The game is particularly important for Palestra to showcase his readiness to play once the Premier League returns, with the Italian likely to line up at right-back or right wing-back.
Emegha could lead an attack also featuring fellow summer recruit Danny Welbeck, though it depends on whether the Dutch forward has recovered fully from a hamstring injury sustained in July during another behind-closed-doors friendly against Bromley.
There could also be a rare senior outing for Kendry Paez, who is not part of Xabi Alonso's first-team plans this season after difficult loan spells at BlueCo sister club Strasbourg and River Plate, but has featured for Chelsea's Under-21s.
Injury and availability updates
It remains to be seen whether Cole Palmer will be considered, having pulled out of the England squad last week and been working abroad on an individual programme with a Chelsea fitness coach. Reece James' current status is also unknown after missing out on selection by Thomas Tuchel due to a hamstring injury.
Moises Caicedo was not called up by Ecuador for their latest friendlies after a calf injury that has disrupted his season so far, but he was said to be close to being involved against Brentford.
Standout Chelsea youngsters Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli will both be involved for the England U17s against Germany on Sunday, so are unavailable here. It is conceivable that Alonso could use one or two players from the Cobham Next Gen side to fill squad places, though they would obviously have to be chosen from the contingent not currently away on internationals.
Joao Pedro has been receiving treatment from a knee specialist after withdrawing from the Brazil squad, while Jamie Gittens injured his ankle playing for England's U21s last week.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Portsmouth (3-4-3): Sharman-Lowe; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo, Henderson, Chavarria; Paez, Welbeck, Emegha.
