Leeds United boost for Chelsea trip as Xabi Alonso cautious on £115m Caicedo | OneFootball

Leeds United visit Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday, with Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo a major doubt. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Xabi Alonso says he does not want to rush the £115m signing back.

Caicedo missed the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday with a knock. He sat out Chelsea's first two games of the season, then a brief return off the bench against Brighton earlier this month lasted only 14 minutes.

Levi Colwill was only fit for the bench. Alonso said Caicedo's issue is not long-term but about assessing risk, and conceded they probably used him too soon last week. He added he is content with his squad, though Caicedo and Colwill are important and make Chelsea better.

Chelsea are light in central midfield after Enzo Fernandez's move to Manchester City and a failed push for Monaco's Lamine Camara. On Sunday, Reece James partnered Romeo Lavia in the middle.

With Leeds arriving in two days, rotation in key areas is likely, though Alonso believes he has enough options to keep balance. He highlighted the energy of Valentin Barco and said Jordan Henderson's composure and mentality mean he is getting closer to minutes.

He also pointed to Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Reggie Watson and academy product Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli as alternatives.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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