Chelsea face Fulham in their Premier League opener at Craven Cottage on Monday, but they will be without Moisés Caicedo, who was left out of the matchday squad.
Is Moisés Caicedo injured?
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed before the game that Caicedo had suffered a setback during the week. Marco Palestra was also ruled out for the same reason.
Alonso told Sky Sports: “During the week they had setbacks. With Moi, we don’t want to take risks.
“They were not ready to play tonight. We go week-by-week, but they were not ready for tonight.”
Caicedo and Palestra were both spotted at Craven Cottage despite being unavailable for the game. Jordan Henderson was also at the stadium.
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Arbeloa surprised by Chelsea lineup
New Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa admitted he was surprised by Alonso’s first Chelsea lineup.
{{/usCountry}}New Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa admitted he was surprised by Alonso’s first Chelsea lineup.
{{/usCountry}}"You’ll have to ask Xabi about that!" he said. "I think maybe they have some injured or some problems. I will ask him later. We expected another XI for starting, for sure."
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Carragher backs Chelsea under Alonso
Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea could improve under Alonso this season.
"We’re looking at Chelsea doing okay on the fact Alonso has come in – it feels they’ve done really well to get a manager of that caliber," Carragher said on Sky Sports.
"Given how poor last season was – and the fact they have no European football, and they’ve been in the transfer market. There’s definitely a shift there. They’ve realized mistakes they’ve made in the past."
Chelsea full lineup vs. Fulham
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James (c), Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.
Chelsea substitutes: Penders, Chavarria, Barco, Fernandez, Neto, Quenda, Gittens, Estevao, Welbeck.
Fulham full lineup vs. Chelsea
Fulham starting XI: Leno; Castagne, Bassey (c), Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi, King, Bobb, Gonzalo, Palacios.
Fulham substitutes: Lecomte, Tete, Reed, Muniz, Kevin, Charles, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, De Fougerolles