'No point to take risk' - Alonso updates on Palmer and Colwill

[Getty Images] Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has explained Cole Palmer's absence from the 1-0 defeat by Juventus in Hong Kong. Palmer watched from the stands at Kai Tak Stadium after also missing the open training session the previous day. Fellow England international Levi Colwill was also absent from training and Wednesday's match. Asked about the pair, Alonso said: "Yes, they had a few, not injuries, discomforts. Cole with a whack and Levi as well, so no point to take today's risk and hopefully they will be fine for Saturday." Alonso was then asked whether Palmer's problem was a recurrence of the groin issue that disrupted much of his previous season. He added: "No, it's a whack, a contact injury that he had against Spurs. So it's not that." Palmer had earlier described it as a "slight issue" in an on-pitch interview and said he was "disappointed not to play". Meanwhile, striker Danny Welbeck, winger Geovany Quenda and goalkeeper Mike Penders all made their first appearances for the Blues during pre-season. On their debuts, Alonso said: "Yeah, happy with Geo [Quenda]. After he missed the last week in Australia, he wasn't there but he came a couple of days ago, and to play 45 minutes after the little injury, he's been very good." It was also winger Mykhailo Mudryk's first appearance in more than 20 months after his ban ended following a positive test for the banned substance meldonium at the end of 2024. Alonso revealed it had always been the plan for the 25-year-old Ukraine international to make a brief substitute appearance. "It was emotional for everyone at the club to see him back, especially when I told him before the game that he could play for 10 to 15 minutes," he said. "He was thrilled, for sure. After such a long period, it was a great feeling for him to be back on the pitch, and for everyone as well."