Xabi Alonso Confirms Caicedo and Palestra Out for Luton Clash

Xabi Alonso rules Caicedo and Palestra out of Luton tie but insists Enzo will play

Chelsea will go into their Carabao Cup clash with Luton Town without Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra, after Xabi Alonso confirmed the midfield pair are unavailable for Wednesday night.

“Both not for tomorrow,” the Chelsea head coach said, drawing a firm line under any late fitness hopes.

Caicedo’s issue is not expected to be long term, and there is optimism he could be back in time for the weekend’s league fixture. Palestra’s situation is less clear, with Alonso admitting the club’s medical staff need more time before they can put a timeline on his return.

“Hopefully Moi can make it for the weekend. Maybe we need to check a little bit more with Marco,” Alonso explained.

Enzo expected to feature amid transfer noise

While two midfielders drop out, another remains right at the centre of the story. Enzo Fernandez is again being linked with a move, with Manchester City understood to be preparing an attempt to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.

Alonso, though, is planning with Enzo in his team for now.

“Yes, so we expect that he’s involved, he’s trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved,” he said, making it clear the Argentine is in contention to play against Luton despite the noise around his future.

Pressed on whether he wants Fernandez to stay, Alonso did not hesitate to underline the midfielder’s importance without straying into any transfer guarantees.

“We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities, he has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop.”

For Chelsea, that means one eye on the weekend, one eye on the market – but both firmly fixed on getting through Luton first.