This article is part of Football FanCast's Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players' fitness.
It has been confirmed that Emerson Palmieri is back in training with Chelsea.
What's the story?
The Italy international started the season as Frank Lampard's number one left-back, starting each of the first four Premier League games. However, he picked up an injury whilst playing for the Azzurri, and has not played since September 22nd, when he was forced off after 15 minutes against Liverpool.
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Now, though, he is back in training, meaning that he could soon be back in contention for a starting place in the former Derby County manager's side.
Alonso deserves to keep his spot
During his time on the pitch, the 25-year-old was arguably one of the Blues' best players. Even having missed the last few matches, the man who Chelsea signed for £17.6m is still one of the side's top performers, having averaged a WhoScored league rating of 7.22. Only Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham have higher ratings.
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However, Marcos Alonso has been just as impressive. The former Bolton and Sunderland man has an average of 7.13, whilst he has also provided two assists. He has created more chances per game too, with 1.4 compared to his rival's 1.2.
Most importantly, though, the Blues' record is better with the 28-year-old on the pitch. Chelsea have won five of the six matches Alonso has started, with the solitary loss coming against Valencia in the Champions League. With Emerson in the starting XI, though, Lampard and co won just one out of five matches. That is a rather big contrast.
Clearly, Alonso had fallen down the pecking order as his boss chose to go with Emerson initially, but the Spain international has proven that he deserves to keep his place in the side.
Of course, it is unfortunate for the former AS Roma man considering his impressive displays before his injury but, as the saying goes, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.