Overview
- After Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal, Xabi Alonso admitted he rushed Moisés Caicedo back from injury and said he will avoid repeating that mistake.
- Alonso confirmed Caicedo is not yet match fit and will miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Leeds while being assessed for a possible return for the home league game against Hull.
- Summer signing Marco Palestra remains sidelined with a training knock and will also miss the Leeds match, and Jordan Henderson is back in training but unavailable for the cup tie.
- Alonso said the club has looked at free agents but will not make an immediate signing to plug midfield gaps, preferring to manage the current squad’s recovery.
- Chelsea’s midfield depth was already reduced after Enzo Fernández left and a late transfer collapse, a shortfall that has contributed to early defensive problems and raises the stakes on cautious player returns.