Chelsea take on Leeds United in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, but Xabi Alonso will be without a number of key players for the encounter at Stamford Bridge
Moises Caicedo receives treatment during a Chelsea game
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo is still recovering from injury(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Chelsea kickstart their EFL Cup campaign on Wednesday when they play host to Leeds United, but a number of key players will miss out due to injury.
It's been a mixed-bag start to the season for the Blues, who sit fourth in the Premier League standings thanks to wins over Fulham and Brighton, coupled with Sunday's loss to Arsenal.
However, they will look to put their English top flight duties on the back burner when they face an unbeaten Leeds at Stamford Bridge in the cup.
Daniel Farke's side sit ninth in the Premier League thanks to a win over Nottingham Forest, as well as draws with Brentford and Brighton.
And while Xabi Alonso will look to hand the German his first loss of 2026/27 across all competitions when the two meet in West London this week, he will be forced to navigate a number of player injuries in the process.
Here, football.london breaks down all of the latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates for sidelined players...
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo suffered an injury during the second-half of Chelsea's win over Brighton a couple of weeks ago. The 24-year-old had only recently returned to action following a brief spell waiting in the wings, when he replaced Romeo Lavia.
Less than a quarter-of-an-hour later, however, the Ecuadorian needed assistance to leave the pitch. He was also absent from Chelsea's squad who lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Sunday, sparking further concerns regarding his fitness.
Now, Alonso has revealed that he will not participate in Wednesday's match either.
Potential return date: Saturday, September 12 vs Hull City (H).
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Marco Palestra
Summer signing, Marco Palestra, meanwhile, suffered a knock in the build-up to Chelsea's opening day match with Fulham. The 21-year-old had been one of the first names on Alonso's team-sheet throughout pre-season, although, Pedro Neto has since operated as a right wing-back in his absence.
Unfortunately, Alonso has now revealed that Palestra will be unavailable for selection against Leeds, highlighting how it is too soon for him to play. Speaking about Palestra and Caicedo on Tuedsday, the Spaniard told reporters at Cobham: "Not yet.
"They're still not ready to go. It's not the moment to take too early a risk.
"We'll go game by game with them, but it's too early."
Potential return date: Saturday, September 12 vs Hull City (H)
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Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson will also miss out on the chance to play against Leeds this week, owing to a broken wrist sustained at the World Cup which has hampered his ability to train, and subsequently, match fitness.
Alonso could not give a return date for the English midfielder, but hopes to know a little more later this week.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Emmanuel Emegha
Emmanuel Emegha has been sidelined with a hamstring injury which he picked up earlier this summer. Like Henderson, Alonso hopes to give a potential return date for the 23-year-old centre-forward later this week.
Potential return date: Unknown