Chelsea’s midfield reshuffle
Chelsea began their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at Craven Cottage without key midfielder Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international was absent from the matchday squad for the season opener against Fulham, with manager Xabi Alonso confirming that the player suffered a setback during training earlier in the week.
The exclusion of Caicedo, who has been a central figure for the Blues since his 2023 arrival from Brighton, forced Alonso to adjust his starting lineup. Romeo Lavia and captain Reece James were deployed in the central midfield roles for the Monday night fixture. Alongside Caicedo, summer signing Marco Palestra was also ruled out, depriving the team of a player who had impressed throughout the pre-season period.
Managing physical risks
Addressing the media before kickoff, Alonso emphasized that the decision to leave out both Caicedo and Palestra was precautionary. The manager stated, “During the week they had setbacks. With Moi, we don’t want to take risks. They were not ready to play tonight. We go week-by-week, but they were not ready for tonight.” Both players were observed at Craven Cottage to support their teammates, indicating that while they were unavailable for the immediate match, the club is monitoring their recovery on a short-term basis.
The absence of Caicedo and Palestra coincides with broader squad management questions at Chelsea. The team sheet also drew attention for the inclusion of Enzo Fernandez on the bench, amid ongoing speculation regarding a potential transfer to Manchester City. Furthermore, Fernandez is currently working toward full fitness following an extended break post-World Cup.
Impact on the squad
The defensive and midfield setup for the match saw Malo Gusto start as a right-wing-back in the absence of Palestra, while the back three featured Acheampong, Lacroix, and Colwill. As Chelsea navigates the final weeks of the summer transfer window, the fitness of core players like Caicedo remains a priority. The club’s medical staff is expected to reassess the players’ conditions ahead of the next round of fixtures to determine when they can return to full training and competitive action.