Xabi Alonso has revealed that Jordan Henderson is not yet fit to play for Chelsea, but provided positive news on the fitness of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha.
Chelsea signed the trio this summer. Emegha joined on a pre-agreed transfer from sister club Strasbourg, while Henderson was released from his contract at Brentford and joined the Blues as a free agent. Welbeck was a signing from Brighton, and all three are still awaiting their competitive debuts for the Blues.
Henderson’s recovery and Emegha’s return
Henderson, 36, spent the second half of the World Cup with his arm in a cast after he broke his wrist and underwent surgery after falling over the advertising hoardings in celebrating England’s last-16 defeat of Mexico. Emegha is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Alonso was asked on Wednesday whether the trio are fit and available for their new club, who face Luton in the Carabao Cup second round at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.
“Jordan not yet,” Alonso said. “Danny and Emegha, yes. Jordan will take a little longer, but let's see. I am not a doctor. I don't have the date yet, so we have to wait a little bit longer.”
Alonso dismisses reaction to Argentinian players
Meanwhile, Alonso said he is not concerned about how football fans up and down the country will react to his Argentinian players this season following Argentina’s elimination of England in the semi-finals of the World Cup back in July, saying: “I don’t care”.
Enzo Fernandez is the subject of continued interest from Manchester City this summer but was booed at Craven Cottage on Monday, having scored the winner against England at Atlanta Stadium last month. Valentin Barco is yet to make his Chelsea debut but was also part of Argentina’s squad and celebrated in controversial fashion after the final whistle.
“The semi-final,” Alonso explained. “I have absolutely no control of that. I go to Craven Cottage and I have no control of the reaction of the Fulham crowd with the Argentinian players, with the Spanish players, with the French ones. I don't bother. I can't control it. I don't care. For me it's zero consideration. For me, what's important is how they play, the personality they have.
“I think they can [overcome] this context. Over time, it will decrease. We are still fresh from the summer.”
