'Minor setbacks' - Xabi Alonso explains why Chelsea duo Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo miss Premier League opener
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that players Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra missed the Premier League opener against Fulham due to minor fitness setbacks. Despite their absence, Chelsea secured a victory in a high-scoring match.
Why it matters
Player availability and tactical decisions in the Premier League are critical to the performance of high-profile football clubs and their competitive standing.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has provided clarity regarding the absence of Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra from the matchday squad for the Premier League opener against Fulham. The Blues boss revealed that both players were sidelined due to late fitness issues, forcing a reshuffle in his first competitive starting XI.
Alonso has confirmed why Chelsea duo Palestra and Caicedo are not in the matchday squad for our Premier League opener against Fulham. The news came as a surprise to many supporters as the Blues made the short trip to Craven Cottage for the first competitive fixture under the Spaniard’s leadership.
Alonso faced the media pre-game and was asked why the duo missed out. He replied: "They had minor setbacks during the week, so they were not fit to play tonight. New faces debut for us, Morgan and Max, and they are going to play important roles through the year."
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