Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Moisés Caicedo is ready to return to action against Bournemouth, offering the club a significant boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture. However, the Blues have also been dealt a setback, with winger Jamie Gittens expected to miss several weeks because of an ankle injury.
Caicedo has struggled with a calf problem during the opening stages of the campaign. The Ecuador international was previously introduced as a substitute against Brighton but had to leave the pitch after the injury resurfaced, leaving Chelsea without one of their key midfielders for subsequent matches.
Speaking ahead of the Bournemouth game, Alonso acknowledged that he had made a mistake by bringing Caicedo back too quickly during the earlier fixture against Brighton.
.webp "'Xabi, you did it wrong!' – Alonso admits mistake as Chelsea suffer injury blow ahead of Bournemouth clash")
“We did not want to take risks for Brentford because we did against Brighton, I did myself and I said, ‘Xabi, you did it wrong’,” the Chelsea manager explained.
Alonso added that Caicedo now feels much better and is ready to return. The extended international break has given the midfielder additional time to recover and build his fitness before Chelsea resume their league campaign.
The positive update is accompanied by concern over Gittens, who picked up an ankle injury while representing England Under-21s. Alonso confirmed that the winger would not be available for the Bournemouth match and could remain sidelined for a number of weeks.
“That is the bad news about this international break,” Alonso said, referring to Gittens’ injury.
Chelsea have received further encouragement from the return to training of João Pedro, Reece James and Marco Palestra. Their availability could give Alonso additional options as he looks to improve the team’s performance following the 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the international break.
The manager also pointed to opportunities for younger players, including Brazilian winger Estêvão Willian and academy defender Josh Acheampong, to earn more playing time as the squad navigates its fitness challenges.
Chelsea will host Bournemouth on Saturday, October 10, hoping to return to winning ways in the Premier League. Caicedo’s expected return is a welcome development, but Gittens’ absence leaves Alonso with another selection decision to manage as the club seeks greater consistency.