Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Premier League - LIVE
Chelsea vs Bournemouth LIVE PA Premier League action returns to Stamford Bridge this afternoon after three long weeks of the international break, with Chelsea hosting Bournemouth. The international break, while frustrating for many fans, came at an ideal time for Xabi Alonso as his side was hit with a burgeoning injury crisis last month.
Moises Caicedo had played barely a quarter of an hour of football on the season, Reece James had done his hamstring, and Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer were both carrying injuries. Three weeks of R&R means they are back to full strength today, though, as they face a winless Bournemouth.
Marco Rose has endured a tough start to the new campaign as he struggles to fill the shoes of Andoni Iraola, taking just three points from his opening five league matches. Things will get no easier for him here in west London, either, as he faces the Blues without the benefit of Alex Scott, Justin Kluivert or Eli Junior Kroupi.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will today celebrate a new contract for Cole Palmer which was confirmed this morning. Follow the action from Stamford Bridge as it happens below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth latest news Live updates BOURNEMOUTH CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS Bournemouth XI Vs Chelsea: Petrovic, Truffert, Hill, Brooks, Evanilson, Christie, Adams, Silva, Smith, Tavernier, Rayan Subs: Di Gregorio, Cook, Soler, Gannon-Doak, Juanlu, Toth, Jebbisom, Rodriguez CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS Chelsea XI vs Bournemouth: Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Chavarria, Henderson, Caicedo, Neto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro Subs: Penders, Fofana, Gusto, Hato, Palestra, Lavia, Quenda, Estevao, Welbeck Team news up next! Today's starting lineups will be released in just a few minutes.
Today's stage Bournemouth have only won at Stamford Bridge twice in their history, in 2019 and 2018. Eddie Howe was in the dugout for both matches, with the goalscorers including Junior Stanislas, Callum Wilson, Nathan Ake and Dan Gosling.
There was some bemusement at the fee for the then 21-year-old, but he lit up the Premier League immediately. His debut campaign in west London produced 25 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, with 15 assists to boot.
He has scarcely looked back since, with that tally now sitting at 92 goal involvements in 138 appearances. There were rumours this past summer that he might look to move back home to Manchester, with interest from United, but he has now committed his future to Chelsea beyond any reasonable doubt.
Bournemouth winless in five The Cherries are yet to win a Premier League match under Marco Rose this season. Here are their results so far.