Chelsea could welcome back a familiar face for Friday night's Premier League clash against Brentford, with midfielder Henderson spotted training at Cobham on Monday as he continues his recovery from injury.
Henderson has been involved in training sessions for close to a month but has yet to feature for the Blues in either the Premier League or the Carabao Cup, missing recent victories over Luton and Leeds. His latest training appearance, however, suggests he is edging closer to a first-team recall and could be available to face his former club this week.
Head coach Xabi Alonso indicated last week that the midfielder was approaching full fitness, saying he believed Henderson was "in the last stage of his recovery." That assessment appears to have been backed up by his presence on the training pitch as Chelsea prepared for their final match before the upcoming international break.
While Henderson's situation looks promising, the same cannot be said for Moises Caicedo, who was notably absent from Monday's session. The Ecuadorian midfielder has now missed three consecutive matches — against Arsenal, Leeds, and Hull — after being forced off during Chelsea's match with Brighton in late August.
Alonso addressed Caicedo's fitness when quizzed on the topic last week, making clear that the club would not rush a player of his importance back into action prematurely. "Let's see for Brentford, but unluckily not at the moment to take risks with him. Not yet, we are not there yet," the Spanish coach explained.
The absence of Caicedo comes at a time when Alonso is still working to establish his tactical identity at Stamford Bridge, having only recently taken charge of the squad. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss acknowledged that his methods and philosophy are still being absorbed by the players, pointing to the need for patience as the team adapts.
"It's early days for us. It's one month together and in one month, we know the idea, the concepts, the mentality, but it's too early to know it's already built," Alonso said. He added that the process of implementing his vision would take time, particularly following Chelsea's recent performance against Hull.
"It will take longer, but we need to learn from everything and from this [against Hull] as well," he continued. "For sure, I think it will come. At the moment, we are not having that feeling we are solid enough. With work and with games, I think it will get better."
Those comments reflect the broader challenge facing Alonso as he attempts to blend a squad still adjusting to new tactical demands while also managing a lengthy injury list in key positions. The potential return of Henderson would offer a timely boost in midfield, especially with Caicedo's continued absence leaving Chelsea light on options in that area of the pitch.
Friday's meeting with Brentford, coming just before the international break, presents an opportunity for Chelsea to build some momentum and clarity in their approach under Alonso, even as they continue to manage fitness concerns across the squad. Supporters will be watching closely to see whether Henderson makes his long-awaited return to action against the very club he once represented.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.