Palestra left out of Chelsea squad again following €60m transfer from Atalanta

Marco Palestra has been left out of the Chelsea squad for the second match in a row following his €60m summer transfer from Atalanta, as an unspecified injury issue keeps him waiting for his Premier League debut.

Palestra injury rules him out of Chelsea’s first two Premier League games of 2026-27

Palestra raised eyebrows in Italy when he decided to join Premier League side Chelsea rather than reigning Serie A and Coppa Italia champions Inter, who had been heavily linked with a move for the Italy talent in the early stages of the summer transfer window.

Marco Palestra has completed his transfer to Chelsea from Atalanta (chelseafc.com)

The 21-year-old, who earned his first caps for the Italy national team earlier this year, impressed with his performances for Chelsea during pre-season and had been expected to be part of Xabi Alonso’s starting XI heading into their Premier League opener against West London rivals Fulham last week.

However, speaking in his pre-match media duties ahead of the Fulham game last weekend, Alonso confirmed that Palestra would not be available due to an unspecified ‘set-back’.

“They (Palestra and Moises Caicedo) had minor set-backs during the week, so they were not fit to play tonight,” Alonso said last week.

HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 5: Jeremie Boga of Juventus FC (L) and Marco Palastra of Chelsea FC (R) competes to the ball during the Chelsea v Juventus – Pre-Season Friendly at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

It appears that the same issue has kept Palestra out of Chelsea’s second Premier League match of the 2026-27 season as well, against Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge at 14.00 BST on Sunday.

Alonso has instead named Malo Gusto at right wing-back and Jorrel Hato on the left.