Xabi Alonso Rules Out Moises Caicedo for Leeds Clash
Chelsea will have to do without Moises Caicedo again as Xabi Alonso refuses to gamble on the midfielder’s fitness for the Carabao Cup tie against Leeds on Wednesday night.
Caicedo, who missed the opening two games of the season against Fulham and Luton, made his return as a substitute in the chaotic 4-3 win over Brighton. His comeback lasted just 14 minutes. He signalled a problem, came off, and has not played since.
The Ecuador captain then sat out Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, a result that only sharpened the focus on his absence in the heart of midfield. After that loss at the Emirates, Alonso admitted Chelsea had pushed Caicedo back too quickly for the Brighton game and insisted he would not make the “same mistake again”.
He has kept his word.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Leeds’ visit, Alonso was clear when asked if Caicedo was fit: “No. Not yet. Still not ready to go. Not the moment to take a too-early risk. We go game by game with them. It’s too early.”
The message was firm: no shortcuts this time.
There is some encouragement for Chelsea. Alonso did not rule Caicedo out of the club’s next league outing, away to Hull, but he wants more information before even thinking about that. “Potentially, yes,” he said when pressed on whether Caicedo could feature. “But we need to wait and probably Thursday or Friday we will know more.”
While Caicedo sits out, there is better news on Levi Colwill, who is available again and ready to return to the squad. Chelsea, though, remain without Marco Palestra, whose start to life in the Premier League has been stalled before it really began.
“Especially for (Palestra). He came with huge energy, huge desire to enjoy his game in the PL,” Alonso said. “He had a very good pre-season. Right in the days before Fulham, he picked up an injury. We will need him, for sure. He will add a lot of good potential for the team.”
Chelsea will also be missing Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha, both ruled out of the Leeds tie, trimming Alonso’s options as he looks to rotate while still chasing momentum after the Arsenal setback.
Leeds arrive at Stamford Bridge in far better shape physically. They carry what is close to a clean bill of health, with only Daniel James a doubt as he battles minor back and hamstring issues and faces a late fitness test.
Chelsea, then, go into a knockout tie with key pieces still on the treatment table and a manager determined not to be burned twice by the same injury gamble. The risk now sits with Leeds: can they take advantage of a side still waiting to see their record midfielder fully unleashed?
