Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Moises Caicedo was absent from the Blues’ 0-0 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday due to a knee injury.
The British-record signing was a notable omission from the Chelsea ranks for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, where the Blues dropped points for the fourth time in five games.
In Caicedo’s absence, former Rennes starlet Lesley Ugochukwu was brought in for his first Premier League start, joining Enzo Fernandez and stand-in captain Conor Gallagher in the centre of the park.
The Ecuador international had completed the full 90 in both of his nation’s matches during the international break, setting up a goal in a 2-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday, but his late return from South America raised questions about his availability for Sunday’s match.
A spot on the bench was not thought to be beyond the realm of possibility, but the former Brighton & Hove Albion man has now joined the well-occupied Stamford Bridge treatment room.
“Caicedo arrived back with a knock in his knee. We need to assess him in the next few days but he wasn’t available for today, that’s why he not here,” Pochettino said after the game.
It remains to be seen if the 21-year-old will be fit to take on Aston Villa next weekend, while he may also be forced to miss out on a reunion with Brighton in the third round of the EFL Cup on September 27.
Caicedo’s Chelsea career is yet to take off since his £115m switch from Brighton, as he has failed to score or assist in his first four games for Pochettino’s side, only completing the full 90 minutes against Luton Town last month.
The Ecuadorian lynchpin was one of three fresh concern for Pochettino to contend with at the weekend, as neither Marc Cucurella nor Noni Madueke were able to contribute on the South Coast either.
Pochettino subsequently revealed that Cucurella could not take part due to illness, and Madueke arrived back from England Under-21 duty with a muscular problem of unspecified severity.
“So, Cucurella was not available due to fever – he was ill. Noni Madueke came from the national team with a muscle problem, we will also assess Moises Caicedo tomorrow,” Pochettino added.
Chelsea were already working without nine injury victims for the clash with the Cherries, as despite previous optimism over their fitness levels, none of Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile or Armando Broja were passed fit.
Summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia will also be kept waiting for their Premier League debuts in blue due to knee and ankle injuries, and the former issue is also plaguing Marcus Bettinelli and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Finally, captain Reece James (thigh) is unlikely to return to action before the start of October, while Wesley Fofana could sit out the entire season owing to his recent knee operation.
Chelsea’s stalemate with Bournemouth leaves Pochettino’s side 14th in the Premier League standings after five games, one point and one place worse off than Manchester United.
