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Chelsea make the long trip up to Burnley for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash and football.london takes a look at what would be a dream few days for the Blues leading up to the game
We are now into game week as Chelsea prepare for their Premier League return away at Burnley in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues make the lengthy trip to Turf Moor this weekend as they look to continue their march up the table with a crucial three points against the Clarets. If Chelsea were able to get that, then they would climb up to second place in the top-flight table with Manchester City away at Newcastle United later on Saturday.
Before that, though, Enzo Maresca will be preparing his side for coming up against - what you would assume to be - a low block. In recent times, the Blues have struggled somewhat when it comes to breaking down a deep defence and their head coach will be hoping to get his players in the best possible mindset to break it down on Saturday afternoon.
With all of this being said, football.london takes a look at what would be considered a 'dream' week for Chelsea up until the trip to Burnley at the weekend:
Palmer returns to training
Maresca told reporters prior to the international break that the club were hopeful Cole Palmer would be fit enough to return to action later in the month. The 23-year-old has been out since September 20 with a groin injury that has troubled him since the beginning of the season.
Chelsea, though, are hopeful Palmer will be fit enough to at least take some part when Barcelona come to Stamford Bridge next week in a crucial Champions League clash. The weekend is expected to come too soon for the England international, but it would be great to see some images of Palmer in training before that.
As far as we know, Palmer is not yet in full training with his teammates and is continuing his rehabilitation work behind the scenes in Cobham. If he is to be in contention for Barca and then Arsenal a few days later, he will need to be back in full training soon.
Triple injury boost
Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto both pulled out of their national team squads at the start of the international break through injuries. Fernandez has been struggling with a knee problem and did not travel with the Argentina squad for this break, while Neto suffered a groin issue in the win over his former club Wolves earlier in the month.
The Blues duo stayed in the UK over the break to recover from their injuries. We do not yet know the extent of the problems, but Maresca is expected to give us an update when he takes his pre-Burnley press conference on Friday.
It would be brilliant for Chelsea if the decisions to take themselves out of the national team's squads was more of a precaution than anything else. If both were fit for the trip to Turf Moor, then it would prove an enormous boost for the west Londoners in Lancashire.
Benoit Badiashile is expected to return to full training this week after recovering from a muscular injury. football.london understands the French defender is progressing well with his rehabilitation and there is a chance of him making the squad for the trip to Burnley.
Badiashile was pictured with his teammates on the grass in Cobham last week but it is understood that was only partial team training. Chelsea will be hoping the 24-year-old will return to full training in the coming days so he can be available for the weekend.
Chelsea knock 50% off kits and merch
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Bobby has been with football.london for over two years and has been covering Chelsea since the summer of 2022. During that time, he has been front and centre in perhaps the club's most turbulent time with Roman Abramovich selling to Todd Boehly. He is a regular at press conferences and matches, where he has managed to speak to Enzo Maresca and numerous Chelsea players.
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