Chelsea have welcomed back several key players for today’s latest London derby against Brentford, despite a virus spreading through camp.
Cole Palmer and Reece James missed both of new head coach Liam Rosenior’s first two matches in charge of the club, against Charlton and Arsenal in the cups, but have returned to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League outing.
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Palmer was initially expected to return to Chelsea training on Friday ahead of potentially facing the Bees, but he and captain James were both involved in Thursday’s session at Cobham. James had been dealing with a blow to the hip, while Palmer’s issue was his thigh.
Malo Gusto has also missed both of Rosenior’s first two matches but remains behind Palmer and James in his recovery having trained alone at Cobham on Thursday and Friday.
Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens were also doubts because of a virus that has broken out at the Chelsea training ground, which kept them both sidelined against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie and is also now affecting several staff members.
Neither player was involved in training on Thursday as they remained at home with the club seeking to keep those suffering from illness away from the rest of the squad, but Delap has recovered sufficiently to be named on the bench against Brentford.
Moises Caicedo was suspended against Arsenal but is back available to face the Bees and returns to the XI, but there is no clearer timeframe for Romeo Lavia’s return from a quad injury despite him starting to train away from the main group on Thursday.
Levi Colwill (knee) remains a long-term absentee and Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable for selection.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; J. Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato, A.Santos, George, Delap Guiu
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday January 17, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge
