Chelsea handed new injury boosts as result of secret friendly revealed

Chelsea were reportedly beaten 2-0 by Championship opponents Portsmouth in a behind-closed-doors friendly match on Saturday.

The game offered the opportunity for the Chelsea players not called up by their respective countries to keep themselves fresh ahead of a return to Premier League action against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10.

It was also seen as an important chance for certain players who have been recovering from injury to get crucial minutes under their belt ahead of the resumption of the top-flight.

Neither Chelsea nor Portsmouth released any details about Saturday’s friendly either before or after the game, but the Daily Mail report that Portsmouth won 2-0.

They add that Xabi Alonso did utilise “some players” who are working their way back after injury, with the Spaniard having deployed a mix of senior stars and academy talents in a match he is said to have used mostly for tactical work and as a training exercise, with apparently no concern over the result.

However, Chelsea fans may still be worried that a reported focus on defensive work after shipping so many goals early in the campaign has yet to pay off.

It is not clear which Chelsea players who have been injured were able to play against Portsmouth, who currently sit 19th in the Championship table after winning only two of their first seven league games this term under John Mousinho.

Comeback: Marco Palestra was expected to play for Chelsea against Portsmouth

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However, Marco Palestra has been on the comeback trail after a quad injury suffered during pre-season that has delayed his competitive debut for the club, while fellow summer signing Emmanuel Emegha has been recovering from a hamstring injury.

Captain Reece James was unavailable for England selection because of a hamstring injury, while Moises Caicedo did not go away with Ecuador as the result of a calf complaint that has limited his involvement for Chelsea so far this season.

A number of Chelsea’s senior and younger players are currently away on international duty, with Romeo Lavia and Mike Penders both expected to be involved for Belgium in their Nations League clash against France on Monday night.