Xabi Alonso confirms Chelsea injury scare ahead of Sunderland clash

Xabi Alonso confirms Chelsea injury scare ahead of Sunderland clash Chelsea Team News: Caicedo and Martinez Face Late Fitness Test for Sunderland Trip Chelsea head to Sunderland on Sunday with Xabi Alonso still waiting on two important calls, Moises Caicedo and Emi Martinez. The manager has made it clear that Saturday’s final training session will decide both cases, which tells you everything. No grand declarations, no guessing, just a straight medical and tactical call before facing the league’s bottom side. The bigger selection issue may well be in goal. Martinez has returned to training sooner than expected after jaw surgery and has been working in a protective mask. That gives Alonso a decision to make. Mike Penders, still only 21, has filled in during Martinez’s absence and, apart from one significant mistake, has done well enough. That matters. You do not rush a goalkeeper back unless he is genuinely ready, especially when the deputy has not looked out of his depth. Alonso said: “Tomorrow we have the last training session before Sunday and we will decide [then].” He added: “But he [Martinez] is training well. All the decisions are tough in all the positions, but it is very good that Emi has made a great effort to be back and is ahead of [the schedule]. Tomorrow we will check and Sunday we will take the final decision.” Caicedo Fitness Update Caicedo’s situation is slightly different. He started against Manchester United last weekend, but his training week has been interrupted by discomfort afterwards. Alonso was careful with his wording, which usually means a player is not fully clear yet. He said: “Well, after the last game he had little problems. We expect to check tomorrow. We have some different situations, and Moi is one of them. It is discomfort more than the [old] calf [injury].” That sounds manageable, but Chelsea will still want certainty before naming him in midfield. With the international break looming, there is little sense in forcing the issue. Photo IMAGO Hato Still Missing for Chelsea There is no such uncertainty over Jorrel Hato. He missed the United game and will miss this one too. Alonso’s update was blunt and definitive: “No, no, no, he is not fit. It will take him some more weeks to be fit.” Palmer Focus Remains on Chelsea Alonso was also asked about Cole Palmer after his recent England squad omission, despite Chelsea viewing him as fit. The manager refused to turn it into a saga. “No, we have not spoken about that,” Alonso said. “We are very happy with Cole. He is connecting very well with the other attackers and is helping the team.” That is the line Chelsea will stick to. Keep Palmer focused, assess Caicedo and Martinez on Saturday, and avoid making Sunday more complicated than it needs to be.