Chelsea manager flags doubt for Caicedo before Sunderland trip
Xabi Alonso says the midfielder faces a late fitness test, while Emiliano Martinez is ready to return to the starting lineup.
By James Mitchell ·
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso named Moises Caicedo as a doubt for Sunday's Premier League match against Sunderland. The midfielder is dealing with discomfort in his calf following last weekend's victory over Manchester United. Alonso indicated that the team will run specific tests tomorrow to determine if Caicedo is fit enough to travel to the Stadium of Light.
Caicedo has struggled with injuries since joining the squad. He has played only 14 minutes in Chelsea's first five league matches of the season. The midfielder returned to the starting lineup after the last international break and started the subsequent five matches in all competitions. Alonso noted that Caicedo missed part of open training on Wednesday due to the issue.
The manager described the current problem as a discomfort rather than a new calf injury. He stated that the club will check different situations in tomorrow's session to make a final call. This late uncertainty adds a layer of complexity to Chelsea's midfield planning for the upcoming fixture.
Alonso also provided updates on other players. He confirmed that Joao Pedro and Maxence Lacroix remain sidelined with long-term injuries. The manager said he does not expect them to play on Sunday. He added that the coaching staff will review their recovery progress after the next two-week international break, before the Leeds United match.
Emiliano Martinez offers a positive note for the squad. The goalkeeper is in contention to start Sunday after suffering a fractured jaw at Everton last month. Alonso confirmed that Martinez is training well. The manager said the final decision will be made after tomorrow's training session.
Alonso acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Mike Penders, who has served as the second-choice goalkeeper. He noted that all position decisions are tough. The manager praised Martinez for being ahead of the planned recovery timeline to return to the team. Chelsea will finalize their starting eleven following tomorrow's practice.
