It’s the end of the international break, so there’s a plethora of Chelsea players returning from international break with minor injuries.
Simon Johnson of the Athletic seems to have the inside track ahead of the other insiders, and we reported on his news of the defensive injury problems here.
But along with that more vague news about Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen was some very concrete stuff about Emerson Palmieri. After a really strong start for Frank Lampard’s team this season, he picked up a problem in the last international break which has seen him sit out until now.
But Johnson reports that his return will be in a week, against Ajax in the Champions League:
#Christensen has had a scan on a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature. #Kante is doubtful too – has minor groin problem. #Kovacic suffered minor leg injury playing for Croatia but hope is he will be okay. #Emerson set to return for #cfc against Ajax next week.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) October 16, 2019
It sounds like that’s pretty definite, barring any setbacks. It’s great news for Lampard, with some depth returning to his back line.
Marcos Alonso has been good in the absence of the Italian, but now he will really have to step his game up to keep his place long term.
That competition can only be healthy.
