Chelsea go back into Premier League action with the usual problem, too many moving parts and not enough certainty. Xabi Alonso has several first-team players in various stages of recovery, and that matters because the margin for error is already thin. Lose 3-0 to Brentford before the break and every absence starts to look bigger.
The headline issue is Joao Pedro. Chelsea have other concerns, plenty of them, but he is the one that shifts the attack when available. There is also the situation around Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Reece James, all of whom could be involved against Bournemouth if the final days of training go cleanly.
There were also signs of progress at Cobham, where a number of sidelined players featured in a behind-closed-doors game against Portsmouth, a match Chelsea lost 2-0. The scoreline in that setting means little. The availability list means plenty.
Joao Pedro remains major Chelsea concern
Start with the obvious. Joao Pedro is the biggest doubt. He has not played since rescuing a point against Hull, and the issue surfaced properly before the defeat to Brentford. Since then, the forward has also withdrawn after returning to Brazil duty, with treatment reportedly involving a knee specialist.
That is rarely a detail clubs want attached to a minor problem. Chelsea will hope it is caution rather than escalation, though the expectation has been that he could miss up to four weeks. For now, the realistic read is simple, Bournemouth may come too soon, and a return later in October looks more likely.
Without him, Chelsea lose incision and a player who has been decisive in bad moments. He has already shown he can drag something from a game that is drifting away. Those players are expensive for a reason. However, his return currently looks set for later in October.
Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo close to comeback
Palmer is the name supporters will watch most closely. He pulled out of the latest England squad, which prompted Thomas Tuchel to say he…
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