'We signed Jordan Henderson for everything', says Xabi Alonso after midfielder's stupendous brace
The Blues confirmed on the eve of the game that their influential captain had undergone successful minor surgery on a knee injury suffered in training during the recent international break.
“Reece has already begun his road to recovery and will be supported by the club's medical department at Cobham during this rehabilitation phase,” Chelsea said in a statement.
However, while the first four all featured in that rout, James was a surprise absentee with a knee problem picked up at Cobham.
He had previously missed the 3-0 defeat by Brentford with a hamstring injury that also ruled him out of England squad selection for the Nations League.
Alonso had the option of choosing from Valentin Barco or Romeo Lavia as partners to Caicedo - who takes over from Levi Colwill as captain with James out - in the double midfield pivot against Everton, but felt the smart decision is to stick with Jordan Henderson.
The 36-year-old scored two stunning goals and assisted another on his home debut for Chelsea against Bournemouth.
Alonso has options on the right of defence and sticks with Josh Acheampong over Wesley Fofana. Palestra was an option at right wing-back, though Pedro Neto retains his place there for today.
On the opposite flank, Jorrel Hato comes in for Pep Chavarria, who is not involved at all in a shock. There is also no Malo Gusto on the bench as 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is promoted back into the matchday squad.
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Alonso has not handed much game time to Geovany Quenda or Estevao in Chelsea’s first six Premier League games of the season, with both on the bench.
The menacing front three of Joao Pedro, Palmer and Morgan Rogers all start against Everton.
Left winger Jamie Gittens is still out after he suffered an ankle injury on international duty with England’s Under-21s last month. He will be sidelined for “a few weeks” yet, according to Alonso.
Chelsea XI vs Everton (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo (c), Henderson, Hato; Rogers, Palmer; Joao Pedro
Subs: Penders, Fofana, Palestra, Barco, Lavia, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Quenda, Welbeck
Injured: James, Gittens, Emegha, Chavarria
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium
How to watch: TNT Sports