Moises Caicedo Struggles with Knee Injury Ahead of Chelsea’s Trip to Bournemouth
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Moises Caicedo is struggling with a knee injury which has kept the midfielder out of Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth on Sunday. The Ecuadorian is not in the squad for the away day on the south coast, having picked up a knock while on international duty.
The injury is not thought to be a serious one, but it is enough to mean the 21-year-old sits out. ‘Caicedo arrived back from international duty with a knock in his knee,’ said Pochettino of the Ecuadorian. ‘We need to assess him in the next few days but he wasn’t available for today, that’s why he not here with the team.’
Ben Chilwell Omitted from Starting XI
Ben Chilwell was also a surprise omission from the starting XI for the Blues, although he is on the bench as Pochettino confirmed a change in tactics which gave Mykhailo Mudryk a start.
‘I think we want to play with Mudryk in the position we normally use to play Chilwell,’ Pochettino told Sky Sports. ‘We want to play with a more offensive player, and of course keeping the same back four with Malo Gusto, Thiago Silva, Axel [Disasi] and Levi [Colwill].’
Mudryk comes in for Chilwell, with Lesley Ugochukwu earning his first start for the club in midfield in place of Caicedo.
Chelsea Hit by Injury Problems
The Blues have been ravaged by injury problems so far this season, with Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja among notable absentees. Romeo Lavia suffered an ankle injury during the international break, which will see the midfielder wait at least six weeks before making his debut for the club.
Chelsea team vs Bournemouth: Sanchez, Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Gallagher, Ugochukwu, Sterling, Fernandez, Mudryk, Jackson. Subs: Bergstrom, Palmer, Chilwell, Petrovic, Maatsen, Washington, Gilchrist, Matos, Stutter.
Conclusion
Moises Caicedo is struggling with a knee injury which has kept him out of Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth on Sunday. Ben Chilwell was also a surprise omission from the starting XI for the Blues as Pochettino confirmed a change in tactics which gave Mykhailo Mudryk a start. The Blues have been ravaged by injury problems so far this season, with several notable absentees.
