Xabi Alonso faces a key selection dilemma ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Brentford in the Premier League on Friday as a number of key positions lie under fitness clouds. Joao Pedro and Reece James were absent from Tuesday’s training session, and Moises Caicedo is yet to start a game this season.
The Blues head to the Gtech Community Stadium sixth in the table after a 2-2 draw with Hull City that revealed alarming structural frailties. Chelsea’s shape in that game was 4-2-3-1 after halftime, a shape probably worth sticking to, with some calculated personnel changes.
Emiliano Martinez should continue in goal. Malo Gusto could be selected at right-back, while Wesley Fofana, who won 11 duels against Hull, and Levi Colwill could make up the central defensive partnership. Pep Chavarria deserves a chance at left-back, and Jorrel Hato’s underwhelming performance against Hull has opened that door.
If the captain is fit before Friday, Reece James should be the midfield double pivot alongside Romeo Lavia. James was commanding the midfield against Hull, making a match-high 110 touches and completing 80 of his 85 passes. Caicedo should be on the bench, with Alonso’s reluctance to risk his fitness well documented. If James is out, Valentin Barco looks an energetic replacement after a lively 20-minute cameo against Hull.
Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers should complete the attacking trio behind Joao Pedro, who is a must-have with three goals and three assists in five outings. Palmer had two big chances against Hull and Rogers has scored the opening goal in each of Chelsea’s last two league games.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Chavarria; James, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Moises Caicedo’s Fitness Saga Exposes Chelsea’s Midfield Dangerously
Moises Caicedo’s campaign has been stop-start, meaning Chelsea have been without their most reliable midfield enforcer for much of a turbulent opening month under Alonso. The Ecuadorian missed the season opener against Fulham before the calf problem flared up again during his return against Brighton.
That setback meant the 24-year-old missed the defeat to Arsenal, the EFL Cup win over Leeds United and the stalemate with Hull. Alonso had earmarked Friday’s trip to Brentford as a potential return date, although the Spaniard has always stressed caution over the midfielder’s rehabilitation.
Caicedo also missed Tuesday’s training session, raising further doubts over his availability. He has been out for a long time, and Chelsea have conceded nine league goals in that period, which shows how much they have missed his screening presence.
With an international break following Friday’s game, Alonso may ultimately decide to prioritise the long-term fitness of the midfielder over a hastened return to the pitch.