The key theme from Xabi Alonso’s pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Brentford was clear to every Blues fan.
They wanted updates on squad selection, but Alonso gave little away. Chelsea go into the game with doubts over João Pedro, Reece James and Moisés Caicedo, and those question marks remain heading into the fixture.
Brazil had announced that Joao Pedro had been ruled out of their international games against Australia and India due to an ‘injury ’, with Fluminense’s Gabriel Martinelli taking his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. When asked whether Joao Pedro could still play for Chelsea but miss out on travelling with Brazil, he called it “a possibility.” But denied to tell reporters what injury Pedro had reportedly picked up.
""In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session tomorrow, so no one is ruled out for us for Friday, so I prefer to be cautious, and we will wait until tomorrow to take the final decision on every player.”"
Moises Caicedo was another talking point of Alonso’s press conference. When asked whether the midfielder would be in the squad, the Spaniard replied: “He's getting closer, and tomorrow we will take the final decision on the team and the squad that is coming to Brentford.” Chelsea will be sweating on the return of Caicedo, with the midfielder being a crucial part of their team last season, and his presence in the midfield has been evidently missed so far this term.
"Moises is one of the top midfielders in the world. Any team with Moi in the middle is a better team, and we are aware of that. But at this moment, we will see tomorrow; he has not been able to play. So we have had to cope with that situation. "
Regarding Reece James’ omission on Tuesday, Alonso said that “it was a decision for Tuesday, and we see his development, and tomorrow we will decide.”
With the current injuries Alonso has to deal with, it’s not gonna improve the Blues’ current defensive record, with Chelsea conceding nine goals in their first four games. Alonso responded to a question regarding whether he is going to see anything different from his defence tomorrow.
Let's hope it is good news when Friday night rolls around at the Gtech Community Stadium
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