Marco Palestra Returns to Training: Chelsea's €60m Signing Eyes Debut

Marco Palestra is finally back on the grass at Cobham. Chelsea’s €60m summer signing returned to full training today and could get his first taste of competitive action in blue this weekend – but the timing may come at a cost for his Italy ambitions.

Big-money signing still waiting for debut

The former Atalanta and Cagliari wing-back lit up Chelsea’s pre-season. His energy, direct running and versatility quickly justified why the London club pushed the fee towards €60m including add-ons.

Then, just as he looked ready to explode into the Premier League, everything stalled.

Palestra picked up a knock in Chelsea’s final friendly and vanished from the matchday picture. Since then, the 21-year-old has not played a single competitive minute for the club.

Today’s session marked his first proper return to the group in several weeks. Chelsea staff are not expected to throw him straight in at the deep end: at best, he is being lined up for a second-half cameo in this weekend’s league fixture, a gentle reintroduction rather than a full-scale launch.

The club have kept the details of the problem deliberately vague. The exact nature of the injury – and even which part of the leg was affected – has not been clarified by Chelsea sources, adding a layer of mystery to his absence.

Italy call now in serious doubt

The delay has created a knock-on effect. With Nations League fixtures looming, Roberto Mancini must decide whether to gamble on a player who has not kicked a ball in a competitive match all season.

Palestra only made his senior Italy debut in March 2026 and has two caps to his name. His rapid rise put him firmly on the Azzurri radar, but international football is unforgiving: form and fitness rule everything.

Right now, he has neither minutes nor rhythm.

If his involvement this weekend is restricted to a brief run-out, Mancini faces a clear dilemma. Take an undercooked talent on reputation and potential, or turn to players who have been playing regularly and are fully match sharp?

For Palestra, just getting back on the pitch for Chelsea is the first step. The next question is whether that step comes in time to keep his place in Italy’s plans.