A worrying start: new duo left out of Chelsea's training camp squad
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso faces an early setback as two summer signings have been left out of the squad for the pre-season tour in Australia and Asia.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Ank kumar
Xabi Alonso's reign at Chelsea has hit an early obstacle. The Spanish manager will be without two of his summer signings for the club's pre-season tour in Australia and Asia after they were omitted from the travelling party.
While recent arrival Marco Palestra, signed for 43 million pounds from Atalanta, has made the 27-man squad for the camp in Sydney, both Emanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda have been left behind. The club had secured deals for both players prior to the summer window, but they are not currently joining the rest of the group.
The reasons for their absences are distinct. Dutch striker Emanuel Emegha, 23, reportedly sustained a hamstring injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly win against Bromley. Conversely, the status of 19-year-old Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda remains a mystery, with the club providing no official explanation for his omission.
The squad is also missing key figures like captain Reece James and major signing Morgan Rogers, both of whom are resting following their involvement in the latter stages of the World Cup.