Chelsea confirm ‘frustrating’ Palestra injury and wait for first match | OneFootball

Italy international Marco Palestra will have to wait a while longer for his official Chelsea debut, as Xabi Alonso confirms the injury is ‘frustrating’ for the Azzurri starlet.

The former Atalanta and Cagliari man was a big investment for Chelsea over the summer at circa €57m plus add-ons, and impressed in several pre-season friendly matches.

However, he is yet to set foot on the pitch in a competitive encounter for the Blues, and it’s not clear when he will be able to make that debut.

Palestra waiting for Chelsea debut

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 28: Marco Palestra of Chelsea FC heads the ball during the Sydney Super Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Accor Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Chelsea will host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup tomorrow evening, but in a press conference, manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Palestra is not going to be in the squad.

He remains on the treatment table along with teammate Moises Caicedo.

“They are still not ready to go, and it’s not the moment to take an early risk. So we go game by game with them, but it’s too early,” said Alonso.

HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 5: Jeremie Boga of Juventus FC (L) and Marco Palestra of Chelsea FC (R) competes to the ball during the Chelsea v Juventus – Pre-Season Friendly at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

“It’s especially frustrating for him. (Palestra) came with huge energy, huge desire to enjoy his game in the Premier League. He had a very good pre-season and a few days before the first game against Fulham, he picked up an injury.

“It’s part of the life of a football player to come back from injury and we will need him for sure. He has great potential and will add a lot of good qualities we need in the team.”

Palestra is 21 years old and was pretty much ever-present for Cagliari last season when on loan from Atalanta, making 37 Serie A appearances with one goal and four assists.