When Moises Caicedo Could Make Chelsea Injury Return | OneFootball

Moises Caicedo was absent for Chelsea's draw against Hull City

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will have to make a big decision on Moises Caicedo ahead of Friday’s Premier League clash with Brentford.

Caicedo has been one of the four players on Chelsea’s injury list in recent weeks, alongside summer signings Jordan Henderson, Marco Palestra, and Emmanuel Emegha.

The other three have yet to feature for Chelsea this season, while Caicedo missed the opening two matches and made his return against his former club, Brighton & Hove Albion, albeit very briefly.

Coming on as a substitute in the second half, the midfielder was forced off with an injury just 14 minutes later.

Alonso confirmed that Caicedo, who has not played since, is struggling with a calf issue.

Speaking before Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hull City, Alonso admitted he decided against taking the risk of playing Caicedo, who had yet to fully recover.

However, he also confirmed Caicedo might be ready for this upcoming derby.

“Let's see for Brentford, but unluckily not at the moment to take risks with him,” Alonso said last week. “Not yet; we are not there yet.”

Similarly, the other three could also be available to face Brentford, depending on their fitness.

The question is whether Alonso feels it is necessary to include any of these four. The away match against Brentford is going to be Chelsea’s last fixture before the extended international break.

Letting these four recover for the next three weeks would arguably be the safest choice.

That said, Chelsea dropped points last weekend against Hull, and another disappointing result heading into the international break would dent the team’s morale.

Caicedo’s return, in particular, would certainly boost Chelsea’s chances of beating Brentford amid the team’s terrible defensive record.

Despite Reece James and Romeo Lavia’s commendable efforts in midfield, neither has Caicedo’s ball-winning skills.

Aside from James and Lavia, Valentin Barco and Malo Gusto, who is naturally a right-back, are the other two midfield options. Barco has only played 29 Premier League minutes so far, and Gusto had a poor display against Hull.

Chelsea’s lack of control in midfield, averaging just 44.2 per cent possession of the ball this season, arguably played a big part in the team’s leaky defence, which has conceded nine goals in four league matches.

Brentford have been unbeaten since the start of the season, with two wins and three draws in all competitions. Sitting seventh in the league, one place behind Chelsea in sixth, Brentford are expected to be another tough challenge for Alonso’s side.