Chelsea received more frustrating injury news on Sunday as Moises Caicedo was not passed fit in time to face Arsenal. The midfielder has struggled for fitness throughout the early days of the campaign, and Xabi Alonso could probably have done with his help at the Emirates, where Chelsea were beaten 2-1.
Caicedo now faces a race against time to pass muster before Leeds visit Stamford Bridge for a Carabao Cup clash. Here is all the latest Chelsea injury news and potential return dates.
Moises Caicedo
Caicedo has played a fringe role in the opening weeks of Chelsea’s Premier League campaign due to a niggling knock. The Ecuadorian missed the first two games of the season entirely before coming off the bench against Brighton, where he lasted just 14 minutes before being forced off again. He was nowhere to be seen as Chelsea visited the Emirates on Sunday despite Alonso saying he was due to face a late fitness test.
Speaking post-match, Alonso revealed Caicedo had been rushed back for the Brighton match, explaining: “Not long-term, but we talk about assessing the risk. Probably last week [against Brighton], we took him too early, and I don’t want to make the same mistake.” As such, it does not seem likely Caicedo will return for the Carabao Cup match against Leeds this midweek.
Potential return date: September 12 vs Hull City (H)
Marco Palestra
Summer signing Marco Palestra was a Chelsea regular throughout pre-season, but has not been available for any of their four matches so far this season. The Italian is thought to be dealing with a knock sustained in training, but Alonso has offered few updates as to his condition.
Speaking to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb last week, though, Palestra revealed he was a matter of days away from returning to the pitch: "I’m fine, it’s still a few days away, but I feel much better." It remains to be seen whether he will be fit to feature against Leeds. He has not been pictured in training for some time, suggesting a midweek comeback is unlikely.
Potential return date: September 12 vs Hull City (H)
Jordan Henderson
Also yet to feature in Chelsea colours is Jordan Henderson, who is continuing to recover from a broken wrist sustained tripping over some advertising hoardings after England’s victory over Mexico at the World Cup. The injury has prevented him from training for some time, and he is not thought to be fully match fit.
In a definite boost, though, Henderson was pictured in first-team training on September 4, two days before the Arsenal clash. “He's getting closer and closer to playing time,” Alonso said of Henderson last week. It is hoped he can make his competitive debut for the club in the coming weeks.
Potential return date: September/October
