Xabi Alonso Rules Moises Caicedo Out of Leeds Clash
Moises Caicedo will play no part when Chelsea face Leeds in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, with Xabi Alonso adamant he will not gamble on the midfielder’s fitness again.
The Ecuador captain has endured a stop-start opening to the season. He sat out Chelsea’s first two league games against Fulham and Luton, then returned as a substitute in the wild 4-3 win over Brighton – only to last 14 minutes before breaking down.
That brief comeback has proved costly. Caicedo missed Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal and, speaking at the Emirates, Alonso admitted Chelsea had likely rushed him back too quickly for the Brighton game, insisting he would not make the “same mistake again”.
The message has not changed.
Asked on Tuesday afternoon whether Caicedo was ready to return, Alonso was blunt: “No. Not yet. Still not ready to go. Not the moment to take a too-early risk. We go game by game with them. It’s too early.”
There is at least a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Pushed on whether Caicedo could feature against Hull, Alonso replied: “Potentially, yes. But we need to wait and probably Thursday or Friday we will know more.”
Chelsea’s midfield options will be stretched again, but there was better news elsewhere in the squad. Alonso confirmed Levi Colwill is available, a timely boost for a side still searching for defensive stability.
Marco Palestra, though, remains sidelined. His absence clearly frustrates the Chelsea head coach, who spoke warmly about what the young attacker had shown before his setback.
“Especially for (Palestra). He came with huge energy, huge desire to enjoy his game in the PL,” Alonso said. “He had a very good pre-season. Right in the days before Fulham, he picked up an injury. We will need him, for sure. He will add a lot of good potential for the team.”
The injury list does not end there. Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha have both been ruled out of the Leeds tie, trimming Alonso’s options further for a competition that often offers rotation and opportunity.
Leeds arrive at Stamford Bridge in far better shape physically. They boast close to a clean bill of health, with only Daniel James a doubt as he battles persistent back and hamstring issues and faces a late fitness test.
Chelsea, then, walk into a cup tie under the lights with key pieces still missing and a manager determined not to be burned twice by the same decision. The temptation to rush Caicedo back again is obvious. Alonso’s refusal to do so may say more about Chelsea’s long-term plan than any team sheet ever could.
