Xabi Alonso issues update after Moises Caicedo exits Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Brighton

Xabi Alonso offered an update on Moises Caicedo after the midfielder left Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Caicedo went off hurt during the match.

Caicedo had returned from a training knock that had kept him out of Chelsea’s opening league game against Fulham and their midweek Carabao Cup win over Luton Town. He made his first appearance of the season against his former team on Sunday. He replaced Pedro Neto in the second half but lasted only 14 minutes.

The 24-year-old appeared distressed as he exited the pitch and was replaced by Valentin Barco, another former Seagull player. Alonso said he was unaware of the severity of the setback. "Hopefully it wasn’t new, and hopefully it wasn’t more than last time," Alonso said of Caicedo. "He was cautious to stop and say that he wasn’t feeling the best. We will assess it during the week."

Chelsea deployed natural full-back Malo Gusto in midfield to join Romeo Lavia. Skipper Reece James came off the bench to play in centre-field alongside Caicedo when Brighton took the lead in the second half. Enzo Fernandez was the only conspicuous exclusion from the matchday squad.

Fernandez was left out once more amid reports of a possible exit before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. He had been omitted from the team for the match against Luton Town. He did not appear in west London on Sunday.

The midfielder will undergo scans that will confirm the extent of his injury ahead of Chelsea’s match against Arsenal on Sunday 6th September. The Blues will next face the Gunners on the weekend.