Xabi Alonso's start to life as Chelsea manager has been a mixed one but the Spaniard has been without a few crucial players at certain points in the opening seven matches
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has had a mixed start to life as Chelsea manager(Image: May James - AFP)
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When Moises Caicedo joined up with the Chelsea squad midway through their pre-season tour, Xabi Alonso's delight was clear for everyone to see.
"When I saw him yesterday, I saw that I've been missing my midfielders because I really admire from the outside, you see his quality his heart, his mentality," explained the Blues boss, who hadn't yet worked with Caicedo.
"I know the Ecuadorian players, they are different and I had heard a lot, I spoke with him on the phone but it was first contact and he's a top, top player, for me one of the best holding midfielders in the world, no doubt.
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"Now he's here, now it's time to start working and to help him get improving and getting better."
Alonso was almost giddy to work with Caicedo and prepare him for the upcoming season in a new style of play. Fast forward more than two months and Alonso has effectively been working with one hand tied behind his back for his first seven matches - in all competitions - as Chelsea manager.
Without Caicedo, the Blues' most significant midfielder, any team would suffer. Chelsea have suffered throughout the campaign. Sometimes they have been bailed out by their star-studded attack, but on other occasions, namely the last three matches in the Premier League, Alonso's team have been punished.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo has played just 14 minutes this season(Image: May James/AFP)
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Caicedo, who cost Chelsea a then British-record fee of £115million in August 2023, has been hampered by a persistent calf injury in the first chapter of the campaign - meaning he has played just 14 minutes. Alonso admitted he made a 'mistake' with the 24-year-old midfielder by bringing him on against Brighton on August 30, only for the Ecuador international to pull up due to a recurrence of the same injury and be taken off after a 14-minute cameo.
Speaking after Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal last month, Alonso explained: "It's not longer term. But it's about assessing the risk.
"Last week [vs Brighton], we took him too early. I don't want to make this mistake again.
"It's easy after a defeat to talk about the players who they are missing. I'm happy with the players we have.
"We have to deal with injuries; Mikel [Arteta, Arsenal manager] has to deal with injuries. But we need them because they are top players."
Moises Caicedo limps off
Moises Caicedo limped off in Chelsea's win over Brighton(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside)
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Alonso is determined to learn from his mistake and that is why he has been a lot more cautious in reintroducing Caicedo to the team this time around. There was some hope from Chelsea staff that the Ecuadorian could have featured against Brentford in the final game before the international break, but the midfielder was not among the travelling contingent at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge this weekend in the first match post the break. Alonso will be hoping to get some minutes out of the former Brighton midfielder but equally there is likely to be some caution taken given his unavailability since the start of the season.