Xabi Alonso makes Moises Caicedo claim in six-player Chelsea injury update for Bournemouth

Xabi Alonso has spoken to the press ahead of Chelsea's clash against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon

Xabi Alonso has provided an injury update ahead of Chelsea's clash against Bournemouth. The Blues could welcome some big names back to the matchday squad when they face Marco Rose's side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to reporters at Cobham training ground on Friday afternoon, the Blues manager began by confirming that Moises Caicedo has recovered from the calf problem he first suffered in pre-season, and later aggravated in the win over Brighton.

Although Alonso suggested that the international break was perhaps too long, he acknowledged that it allowed the Chelsea midfielder to recharge his batteries. The Spaniard said: "Yes, he's ready to go. We have used the time with Moi to get him back fit. He's ready to go."

Alonso added: "Any team missing a player of his quality, his dynamic, we have missed him for sure. We are happy he is back, and he feels better. We didn't want to take risks for Brentford, for example. He feels much better."

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Reflecting on the international break, he said: "If you ask me which way I prefer, with three weeks or two breaks or one be so long, I prefer the other way. This one is too long. I would do [it] the way it was before."

Then, when quizzed on the availability of Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Joao Pedro, Alonso said: "Yes, they have been able to train, some of them more than others. Marco Palestra as well. That was the plan. They have trained well, and they are ready to go."

Jamie Gittens, however, will miss the game. Last week, the Chelsea winger suffered an ankle injury during the England Under-21s' clash against Kazakhstan in a 2027 European Championship qualifier at Molineux.

He was later spotted on crutches and withdrew from the Young Lions squad for further assessment and treatment at Cobham training ground. The Chelsea manager said: "He's not going to be fit for tomorrow, that's the bad news. He's injured his ankle, and he is going to be out for a few weeks."

Despite having shown great promise, especially in the Europa League, Bournemouth remain just one of three teams yet to win a game in the Premier League this season and sit just above the relegation zone. When quizzed on the Cherries, Alonso said: "A tough test.

"So intense, high-tempo game, so demanding. They know what they're doing with Marco and previously with Andoni. The core of the team is the same. We need to have a good game, and we need a win."

As for Chelsea, they sit 10th. The Blues enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign, storming past Fulham and Brighton, before taking a stumble, dropping points to Arsenal, Hull City, and Brentford.

When asked about the project in west London, Alonso said: "It's going to take time. We need to keep learning, to be in the process, to be able to read the moment, [and] adapt to the situation.

"From each game, we are learning things. We need to make sure we don't make the same mistakes again."