Xabi Alonso explains Moises Caicedo absence vs Fulham as Chelsea hit with double injury blow

Xabi Alonso said Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra were both left out of the squad to face Fulham after suffering ‘setbacks’ this week.

Caicedo and summer signing Palestra were surprise exclusions from the team sheet on Monday night as Chelsea prepare to face Fulham in the first match of their Premier League season.

A midfield pairing of Reece James and Romeo Lavia got the nod at Craven Cottage in Caicedo’s place, while Malo Gusto starts as a right-wing-back with Palestra sidelined.

Speaking pre-match, though, Alonso was quick to downplay the pair’s problems, simply saying they had suffered ‘setbacks’.

He told Sky Sports: “During the week they had few 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.”