Moises Caicedo - Xabi Alonso arrives at the stadium during a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium.
Moises Caicedo - Xabi Alonso arrives at the stadium during a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium.
The departure of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City has left Chelsea looking a little light in available midfielders with Jordan Henderson injured, Moises Caicedo playing about 14 professional minutes in this term, and Romeo Lavia yet to complete a competitive 90 minutes since his arrival three years ago. Ahead of a major clash against Arsenal, manager Xabi Alonso has provided an update on the health and fitness of Caicedo.
Will Moises Caicedo Feature vs Arsenal This Weekend
Chelsea players celebrate a disallowed goal from Moises Caicedo
CREDIT: IMAGO / Sebastian Frej
What Xabi Alonso Had to Say
The manager was asked not just once, but twice about the Ecuadorian but was quite tentative about the status of the midfielder. He was initially definitive in stating that “we will check tomorrow” and doubled down later about needing to wait for some clarity.
This isn’t the positive news some fans would have wanted. It likely means a late decision will be taken on whether he can feature but that comes with the risk of reaggravating his issue or being forced to come off the bench. In a high-profile clash with the Premier League holders, being without tour best midfielder is not ideal.
The Last Word
With Caicedo potentially unavailable, Alonso will have to get clever once again. Last week against Brighton & Hove Albion the Spaniard used a midfield of Lavia and Malo Gusto in a counter-attacking setup and he will have to figure out a path to success this time as well.
There will be a reliance on Reece James and potentially Valentin Barco to make up for the technical ceiling needed to overcome the Gunners’ press with Lavia potentially being utilised. Whatever the result, it is a risk against one of the best counter-press teams in the world, particularly in the post-Fernandez run where the team is already trying to figure out how to plug the gap left by the World Cup winner.
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