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KHACaicedo raises fresh calf concern at Chelsea
Xabi Alonso is waiting on a medical review to decide whether the Ecuadorian will be available for the match against Sunderland.
The calf again. Just as Moises Caicedo was starting to find his rhythm after months out, a new physical scare has emerged at Chelsea ahead of Sunday's game against Sunderland, part of matchday 10 of the Premier League.
It was manager Xabi Alonso himself who brought up the Ecuadorian midfielder's situation in his pre-match press conference. The Spanish coach didn't hide his concern, though he also stopped short of giving a final verdict on the player's availability.
After the last game, he had some minor issues. We hope to assess him tomorrow. It's discomfort, mainly in the calf.Xabi Alonso
The comment makes clear that nothing has been decided yet: the coaching staff needs that assessment to know whether the midfielder will be fit enough to join the squad or whether, as a precaution, he'll be held out for another game.
The context makes the news weigh a bit heavier than usual. Caicedo had only just returned to action at the start of October, after recovering from a calf injury that kept him out for the beginning of the season. It wasn't an easy stretch for Chelsea: during that period, the London club felt his absence in midfield, an area where the Ecuadorian typically provides balance and wins back possession.
That's why any discomfort, however minor it may seem, sets off alarm bells. Having to stop again, even as a precaution, would mean another interruption for a player who was just starting to regain continuity.
What's next
Everything now depends on how Caicedo's calf responds in the coming hours. That medical review will determine whether Xabi Alonso can count on him to face a Sunderland side that, as it happens, has its own South American flavor: the English club has Ecuadorians Nilson Angulo and Riquelme Angulo on its roster.
Until there's official confirmation, the doubt remains. Chelsea will have to wait until the last moment to find out whether they can rely on one of their key midfielders or whether they'll need to look for alternatives in midfield for this Premier League fixture.
