Alonso to discuss midfield balance

[Getty Images] Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will speak to the media on Friday for the first time since his side's failed attempt to sign a midfielder before the transfer deadline. They were left furious when Monaco pulled the plug on their £47m agreement for Lamine Camara, 22, on Tuesday night. In the aftermath, Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro delivered a media conference and said Alonso had spoken directly to the Senegal international before the Ligue 1 club decided to pull the plug on a proposed move for the midfielder. The pursuit followed Enzo Fernandez's joint British-record £125m move to Manchester City, while Chelsea also explored deals for Roma midfielder Manu Kone and another unnamed Premier League target. The question now is whether Alonso believes his current midfield options are sufficient, with five recognised players available in that area of the pitch. There are also concerns over the fitness of Moises Caicedo after the Ecuador international lasted only 11 minutes as a substitute against Brighton. At the time, Alonso expressed optimism that the midfielder had not suffered a serious injury, although there has been no further update from the club. The news conference is likely to focus on Chelsea's midfield options and whether they can compete with rivals such as champions Arsenal, whom they face away from home on Sunday.