Xabi Alonso gives Moises Caicedo fitness update before Chelsea’s Arsenal trip

Xabi Alonso says Chelsea will wait until Saturday before deciding whether Moises Caicedo is fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Chelsea head coach provided the update during his pre-match news conference, but stopped short of confirming whether Caicedo would be included in the squad.

“We will check tomorrow. We will make the final decision tomorrow regarding the squad for Sunday’s game,” said Alonso.

The match will be Chelsea’s first Premier League fixture since the departure of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on the final day of the transfer window. Alonso said decisions over the midfielder’s exit had been taken collectively, with the club focused on maintaining a positive atmosphere within the squad.

“We take all decisions together. We work together on the big decisions and the small decisions. We knew in the end that the objective was to do what was best for the team. We want to build a good spirit and a good team,” he said.

Fernandez’s departure had been the subject of discussions between the player and the club, according to Alonso, who praised the midfielder’s contribution while making clear that Chelsea had moved on.

“In football, many things happen. With Enzo, we had conversations and they were always respectful. What he gave to the club was great, but now it is time to move on. We have players with quality in every position and we are now ready to get going,” Alonso said.

Chelsea also failed to complete a late deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Alonso nevertheless said he was satisfied with the squad available to him and believed it offered a suitable mixture of experience, youth and competition.

“I think we are ready and happy with the squad and the depth we have. There is a good balance of players at different stages. We need to build that energy during the week to perform at the weekend. So far, it has been a good start and now we know who is at the headquarters. It is good to have that certainty,” he said.

Alonso described Chelsea’s summer business as a successful first stage of the club’s longer-term plans. He said ideas discussed in May and early June had been put into practice during the transfer window.

“We can be very happy with the whole transfer window. What we started talking about in May and early June, we now have many things from it. It is a very balanced first phase that we have achieved in this transfer window. The first phase is complete, and it is a good one for now and for the future,” said Alonso.

Morgan Rogers, who had previously been strongly linked with a move to Sunday’s opponents, was highlighted by Alonso as an important signing for Chelsea’s present and future.

“Definitely, Morgan was a very big signing, to bring in a player of his stature for the present and the future. He will be a key player for the next six or seven years. He has made a big impact,” Alonso said.

The Chelsea manager also outlined his midfield options, pointing to a group that includes Valentin Barco, Henderson, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Reggie Watson and academy player Mehdi Nicolas Jazouli.

“Valentin is young but he has a lot of energy, and we have Henderson, who has calmness and mentality. He knows what is happening in the game and he is getting closer and closer to getting playing time. Then there is Reece James, Malo Gusto, Reggie Watson and Mehdi Nicolas Jazouli from the academy. We have options, quality and competition,” Alonso said.