Xabi Alonso rules out Moises Caicedo against Leeds as a precaution over calf issue

Xabi Alonso doesn't want to make the same mistake twice with Moises Caicedo. The Chelsea manager confirmed that the Ecuadorian midfielder will miss Wednesday's clash against Leeds United in the third round of the English League Cup, and this time he'd rather not rush things.

The problem isn't new. Caicedo has been carrying a calf issue that already sidelined him ahead of the Brighton match, and it has now flared up again just as the midfielder was starting to find his form after a season opening hampered by injuries.

In his pre-match press conference, Alonso was candid about what happened last time and admitted that rushing Caicedo back had backfired: "He has a problem in his calf. It was the same one he had before Brighton. I wanted to have Moi. It was probably my mistake to push him too soon, and that's why I'm being cautious now not to make the same mistake," the Spanish coach explained.

He has a problem in his calf. It was the same one he had before Brighton. I wanted to have Moi. It was probably my mistake to push him too soon, and that's why I'm being cautious now not to make the same mistakeXabi Alonso

The manager's message was also clear regarding his timeline for the rest of the squad's knocks: "Not yet. They're not ready to go yet, it's not the moment to take too many risks. So we go game by game, and with them it's still too soon."

The good news is that Caicedo is already doing some training with the group. Even so, Stamford Bridge would rather not force anything ahead of the League Cup and are hopeful of having him available for the weekend, when Chelsea host Hull City.

Kendry Paez left out of the first team

The press conference also brought news on another Ecuadorian: Kendry Paez. The former Independiente del Valle player will stay in England, as had already been confirmed a week ago, but will continue training with the club's Under-21 side. Alonso was blunt in ruling him out of the first team for now: "Right now he's not part of the first team squad. He's not in our plans."

While both situations play out, Chelsea face Leeds United this Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., focused on advancing to the next round without adding to an injury list that, for now, still has Caicedo as the main absence to watch.