Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso declares Danny Welbeck fit for Fulham opener
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that summer signing Danny Welbeck and the club’s World Cup returnees will be available for Monday’s Premier League opener against Fulham.
The former Brighton forward sparked fitness concerns among supporters after training alone on Thursday.
However, the Spanish head coach revealed the veteran striker has overcome a minor issue and is ready to make his competitive debut at Craven Cottage.
“He can be involved,” Alonso confirmed.
“He needs a couple of days not training too much because of a little thing, but we expect him to be back on Saturday.”
World Cup stars ready for return
Alongside the new arrival, several first-team regulars were handed extended summer breaks following their international exploits.
Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Valentin Barco and Malo Gusto only reported for pre-season after the Blues concluded their tour of southeast Asia.
Despite their delayed return to Cobham, the Chelsea boss has no underlying concerns about thrusting them straight into the west London derby.
“Let’s see, we will check, we will assess,” added the former midfielder.
“For sure, because of the World Cup they might need a little bit more time, but they are selectable for the line-up.”
High stakes for Stamford Bridge outfit
Monday’s fixture marks the beginning of a crucial campaign for the Stamford Bridge outfit as they look to hit the ground running.
Securing three points against their local rivals would provide an immediate boost and set a positive tone for the new managerial regime.