Alonso to make Caicedo call as Chelsea prepare for Arsenal test

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says a decision on Moises Caicedo’s availability for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium will be made tomorrow.

Caicedo’s fitness was one of the main issues raised during Alonso’s pre-match news conference, with the Chelsea boss confirming that the midfielder’s condition would be assessed before the final squad is selected.

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

The match comes after a busy period for Chelsea, including the departure of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on the final day of the transfer window.

Alonso said Chelsea’s major decisions had been made collectively and insisted the club’s priority remained building a strong group for the season ahead.

“We take all the 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.

Asked about the circumstances surrounding Fernandez’s exit, Alonso said the conversations with the player had been conducted respectfully and that Chelsea now had to focus on the squad that remained.

“In football, a lot of 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 forward. We have players with quality in every position and now we are ready to go,” Alonso added.

Chelsea’s late attempt to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara also failed to go through, but Alonso said he was satisfied with the options available to him.

“I think we are ready and happy with the squad and the depth that 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 training ground. It is good to have that certainty,” he said.

Alonso pleased with Chelsea recruitment

Assessing Chelsea’s summer transfer window more broadly, Alonso said the club had made strong progress on plans that began in May and early June.

“We can be very happy with the whole transfer window. What we started talking about in May and early June, we have got 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 phase for now and for the future,” said the former manager.

Morgan Rogers was another significant summer arrival. The player had previously been strongly linked with a move to Sunday’s opponents, but Alonso described his signing as an important step for Chelsea both immediately and in the longer term.

“Absolutely, 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 the range of midfield options available to him. He praised Valentin Barco’s energy, highlighted Jordan Henderson’s calmness and understanding of matches, and said the former England international was moving closer to regular playing time.

“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 Gazzoli from the academy. We have options, quality and competitiveness,” Alonso said.