Chelsea Midfielder Spotted in Training Ahead of Brentford Clash Following Alonso Update

Chelsea midfielder Jordan Henderson returned to training at Cobham on Monday, putting him in contention to face Brentford on Friday, ahead of the extended international break, according to reports from Yahoo Sports.

Henderson has not featured for Chelsea since arriving on a free transfer from Brentford during the summer. The midfielder sustained a broken wrist while celebrating England’s quarter-final victory over Mexico at the World Cup in July. Although he has trained for the best part of a month, selections under Xabi Alonso left him out of Premier League fixtures as well as Carabao Cup victories against Luton and Leeds.

Ahead of an Arsenal fixture on September 6, Xabi Alonso addressed the midfielder’s prolonged recovery status. “He has been training very well, but it is still frustrating for him that, even though it is his arm, it is taking that long,” Alonso said, noting that the player was in the last stage of his recovery. Now, the midfielder appears ready to line up against his former club at the end of the week.

Defensive Absences and Squad Fitness Concerns

While Henderson steps closer to his debut, Chelsea remains without midfielder Moises Caicedo. Caicedo has missed the last three games—against Arsenal, Leeds, and Hull—after limping off with an injury during a fixture against Brighton at the end of August.

Addressing Caicedo’s ongoing absence prior to recent matches, Alonso stated that the club would exercise caution rather than rush his return. “Let’s see for Brentford, but unluckily not at the moment to take risks with him. Not yet, we are not there yet,” Alonso said.

Early Season Struggles and Tactical Integration

The team was held to a 2-2 draw by Hull, marking a stretch where Chelsea has conceded at least two goals in all four of its Premier League matches so far this season. “It’s early days for us. It’s one month together and in one month, we know the idea, the concepts, the mentality, but it’s too early to know it’s already built,” Alonso said. “It will take longer, but we need to learn from everything and from this [against Hull] as well. For sure, I think it will come. At the moment, we are not having that feeling we are solid enough. With work and with games, I think it will get better.”