Chelsea made a winning start to their Premier League campaign on Monday night, beating Fulham 3-2, but they did so without some key players in the matchday squad.
Moises Caicedo and summer signing Marco Palestra were both left off the teamsheet for the trip across west London having picked up injuries in training.
It is an early-season setback for Xabi Alonso, who will hope to welcome both men back in short order as he gears up to host Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday and Brighton in the Premier League at the weekend.
Moises Caicedo injury update
The usual midfield stalwart Moises Caicedo was a surprise absentee from the teamsheet at Craven Cottage, with a pivot of Reece James and Romeo Lavia starting in his place.
Fortunately for Chelsea, it seems his exclusion was largely precautionary.
Caicedo was in attendance at the match and did not appear to be limping. Speaking pre-match, Alonso confirmed he had picked up a minor issue in training and was left out to avoid 'risk'.
He told Sky Sports: “During the week (Caicedo and Palestra) 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.”
It is not absolutely clear when he will return to the pitch, but it is hoped Caicedo will be back in the fold sooner rather than later.
Potential return date: August 27 vs Luton Town (H)
Marco Palestra injury update
Summer signing Marco Palestra was also an unexpected exclusion from the teamsheet against Fulham, having been expected to start after impressing throughout pre-season.
Alonso lumped him in with Caicedo in a two-for-one injury update, suggesting his issue was only minor as he cited “setbacks”.
It is not clear precisely when Palestra will be ready to play, but Alonso will hope to hand him a competitive debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup.
Potential return date: August 27 vs Luton Town (H)
Jordan Henderson injury update
Jordan Henderson suffered a broken wrist while representing England at the World Cup this summer, which has prevented him from getting up to full match fitness in the early days of his Chelsea career.
He has been pictured in team training this week, but was left out of the matchday squad to face Fulham on Monday night.
It remains to be seen when he will be able to take the pitch for the Blues, but, given his absence seems to be largely down to a lack of match fitness, he may feature before too long.
Potential return date: September 2026
Other Chelsea injury concerns
Emmanuel Emegha is another summer signing whose debut has been delayed by injury. He was left out of the club's pre-season tour after suffering a hamstring injury in July. He has not been named to a matchday squad since, including against Fulham on Monday. Potential return date: Unknown
Aaron Anselmino had been tipped to leave Chelsea on loan this season, but after he sustained a hamstring injury on tour, he is no longer expected to do so. He came off after half an hour of Chelsea's friendly defeat of Johor Darul Ta'zim, and has not featured since. Anselmino has a long history of hamstring problems, and it is not clear when he will return to training. Chelsea will likely take a conservative approach to his rehabilitation. Potential return date: Unknown
Mamadou Sarr also picked up an injury in pre-season when he was forced to drop out of the starting lineup against Johor Darul Ta'zim. Not much information has been made public regarding his condition, but he may not feature for Chelsea this season regardless of his fitness amid reports he has sealed a loan move to Real Sociedad. Potential return date: Unknown
