Chelsea are optimistic about wing-back Marco Palestra's return just in time for their away clash against Brentford on Friday, September 18, as reported by Football London.
The 21-year-old Italian has been one of the club's standout summer signings, arriving from Atalanta for a fee of £47 million, including add-ons. Head coach Xabi Alonso was instrumental in bringing him to Stamford Bridge, believing Palestra to be the ideal fit for his tactical setup due to his ability to seamlessly cover both flanks as a wing-back.
Palestra enjoyed a promising pre-season, effectively integrating into both right and left defensive roles. However, just days before the Premier League opener against Fulham, he suffered a quadriceps injury. This setback has kept him sidelined for all six of Chelsea's competitive fixtures so far this season.
Last week, Marco began individual training sessions on the pitch while the first team prepared for their weekend encounter against Hull City, which ended in a 2-2 draw. There’s a growing belief within the club that the Italian will be able to make his official debut for the Blues in the very near future. Should he fail to reach peak fitness before the trip to Brentford, the coaching staff are hopeful for his full return right after the international break.
