Xabi Alonso provides Moises Caicedo injury update as Chelsea dealt major blow vs Brighton

Xabi Alonso has spoken to the press following Chelsea's 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Xabi Alonso has provided an update on Moises Caicedo following Chelsea's win over Brighton. The Blues midfielder appeared to suffer an injury to his left leg just moments after coming on during the second half of Sunday afternoon's clash at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was one of three players brought on to steady the ship when the Seagulls narrowed Chelsea's lead to just one goal with half an hour to play. The 24-year-old replaced Romeo Lavia in the middle of the park, and 13 minutes later, he was helped off the pitch by medical staff.

Caicedo looked devastated as he left the field and headed straight down the tunnel. Speaking to reporters after the game, the Blues manager suggested the Ecuador international had aggravated a previous injury.

He had been nursing a knock in the build-up to the match and only returned to training at Cobham on Friday. Alonso said: "Hopefully it was not new and it wasn't more than last time.

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"So he was cautious to stop, to say that this feeling was not the best, but we need to assess during the week. But it wasn't something new."

With Enzo Fernandez not in the squad, as Chelsea look to resolve his uncertain future, Valentin Barco was given the nod. On the absence of the Blues vice-captain, who's been linked with a move to Manchester City, Alonso said: "We want the best for the team.

"Anything that happens, we are not sure what will happen. We are prepared for all the scenarios. Whatever happens [before the deadline], I'm sure we will have a good squad for all the Premier League games."

Robert Sanchez was also omitted from the matchday squad; Emi Martinez started between the sticks, and he made quite the impression. When quizzed on the former Aston Villa shot-stopper, whom Chelsea signed for £7.5m on Friday, Alonso said: "With Emi, World Cup winner, 34 years old, experienced all around.

"I spoke with him yesterday, we talked about the game, and he felt ready. I don't need to tell him many things to perform. He wanted the clean sheet, but I was happy with his first impact. He's been in the building for 48 hours, and now he will have the whole week to prepare for the next one."

Reflecting on his side's performance, the Chelsea manager said: "It was a game that different moments, there were different feelings. We are happy with the result. We value a win against this very good opponent. We are in a process, and we need to keep improving."

Brighton enjoyed the lion's share of possession on Sunday afternoon, but that didn't concern Alonso. The Spaniard said: "For me, you need to have context to every data.

"After 30 minutes, we were 3-0 up. The data is not important - it's how you play and what you can do better. I never talk about those things. It's about how you prepare and how you be more competitive."