Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirms no injury concerns ahead of match

Chelsea’s second Premier League match under Xabi Alonso comes with something the club hasn’t enjoyed in a while: a nearly fully fit squad. The former Bayer Leverkusen manager confirmed that defenders Levi Colwill and Geovany Quenda have no injury concerns, midfielder Moises Caicedo is back in training, and both Reece James and Cole Palmer are expected to be available for Sunday’s fixture.

A squad clicking into gear

Alonso’s tenure at Stamford Bridge began with a 3-2 win over Fulham on August 24, a result that offered more drama than the new manager probably wanted but delivered three points nonetheless. That opener, though, came without Caicedo, who missed the match due to what the club described as minor setbacks in his preparation.

Then there’s Cole Palmer, who endured a frustrating campaign last season. Palmer managed only 26 Premier League appearances due to recurring groin problems. Alonso singled out Palmer’s commitment to injury prevention work during the offseason, suggesting the 24-year-old has taken a more proactive approach to keeping himself on the pitch.

The Colwill factor

Perhaps the most carefully managed return belongs to Levi Colwill. The center-back has been working his way back from an ACL injury, the kind of setback that can derail careers if the recovery is rushed. Chelsea’s medical staff and Alonso appear to have taken the cautious route, giving Colwill a full pre-season to rebuild his fitness gradually rather than pushing for an early return.

Geovany Quenda is also free of any fitness worries. Reece James is also expected to feature. James has missed significant chunks of multiple seasons with various muscle and knee injuries, so any confirmation of his availability is met with cautious optimism by Chelsea supporters who have learned not to take his fitness for granted.

Alonso’s early impression

Alonso’s appointment, confirmed in May 2026, ended one of the longer managerial searches in recent Chelsea history. His four-year contract, which officially began on July 1, represented a departure from the club’s recent tendency to hire and fire at pace. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder built his coaching reputation at Leverkusen, where he turned a perennial contender into a genuine force in the Bundesliga.

What’s notable is how Alonso has communicated about his players’ fitness. Rather than offering the vague non-answers that many Premier League managers favor during press conferences, he gave direct updates on five different players.

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