Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Moises Caicedo is fit to play Saturday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, after missing most of the season so far. The Ecuadorian midfielder has made just one appearance, as a substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion in August.
The 24-year-old’s calf complaint, picked up in pre-season and aggravated against Brighton, has kept the Blues without their main ball-winner for five matches, including a 3-0 defeat at Brentford on 18 September. Speaking to the press at the club’s Cobham training ground on Friday, Alonso said:
“Yes, he’s ready to go. We have used the time with Moi to get him back fit. He’s ready to go.”
The Spanish coach then revealed the impact the midfielder’s absence had on the team and explained why they were cautious ahead of their match against Brentford, as he said:
“Any team missing a player of his quality, his dynamic, we have missed him for sure. We are happy he is back and he feels better. We didn’t want to take risks for Brentford, for example. He feels much better.”
Alonso’s comments come after the Blues recorded 59% possession and 495 passes in a 3-0 loss to Brentford, but just 0.82 expected goals compared to the home team’s 2.65, with only two of their 28 crosses finding a teammate. With Caicedo’s return, they hope to plug that gap defensively and offensively.
Bournemouth, managed by Marco Rose, come into West London winless, sitting 17th in the table on three points. The Blues have not lost any of their last nine matches against the Cherries, with four wins and five draws.
Jamie Gittens Ruled Out for Several Weeks
Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens will miss the Bournemouth visit and is expected to stay out for a few weeks after picking up an ankle injury on England Under-21s duty. Alonso revealed the troubling news in his press conference at Cobham on Friday.
The 22-year-old was forced off after 39 minutes in England Under-21s’ 4-2 European Championship qualifying win over Kazakhstan, then helped off the pitch on crutches and back to Chelsea for assessment. England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley confirmed that the winger had received a kick to the ankle.
Gittens has yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, with his only minutes coming in two League Cup matches, playing 56 minutes in total. The former Borussia Dortmund winger’s frustrating start to his Blues career looks set to continue.