Chelsea get Caicedo boost as defensive issues deepen
Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England with injury as five players drop out. Jamie O'Hara said he should defy Chelsea's 'load management' stance and report anyway.
Chelsea are closely tracking Strasbourg loanee Conrad Harder, using BlueCo's network for detailed reports as they weigh a future move for the Danish striker.
Chelsea considered a €60m move for Manu Kone, but Roma kept him after Gian Piero Gasperini's veto. Strong form has now pushed the midfielder's value towards €100m.
Reece James missed Brentford with another hamstring issue, and Chelsea are again waiting on their captain after 146 games lost to injury since 2019.
Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England, while Emi Martinez, Romeo Lavia, Estevao, Pedro Neto and others are away. Reece James and Joao Pedro stay at Cobham injured.
Gary Lineker said Xabi Alonso must fix Chelsea's leaky defence but should get time, adding on his future: 'You never know in this game' after poor results against Hull and Brentford.
Emi Martinez averages a league-high 4.5 saves per 90 for Chelsea, despite criticism and 10 goals conceded in four outings, underlining the Blues' defensive problems.
Moises Caicedo has been left out of Ecuador's squad, giving Chelsea and Xabi Alonso more time to manage his recovery after injury setbacks.
Chelsea fear interest in Josh Acheampong could grow before January, although the 20-year-old defender is under contract until 2029 and rated by Alonso.
Chelsea remain keen on Alex Scott after a £64m summer bid, but Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool could win the race for the Bournemouth midfielder.
Former Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior beat BlueCo-linked Strasbourg 2-1 with Paris FC, then sparked a brawl after celebrating towards away fans.
Chelsea's deadline-day move for Lamine Camara collapsed after former loanee Denis Zakaria revealed he told him 'it is better here' at Monaco amid Enzo Fernandez replacement plans.
Chelsea faced late fitness calls on Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra before Brentford, with Alonso delaying a final decision until training.
Chelsea have conceded 12 goals in five league games, the worst record in the Premier League, and Xabi Alonso is blamed for the team's structure.
Chelsea's 3-0 loss at Brentford extended their clean-sheet drought to 22 league games, but Arsenal's 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Tottenham's loss softened the mood.
With Todd Boehly gone, Chelsea's first window under him is revisited, ranking signings from Marc Cucurella to Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea are among clubs tracking Lens midfielder Meziane Mesloub, 16, after his fast rise, a Champions League debut assist and eye-catching Ligue 1 displays.
John Terry was left 'baffled' after Chelsea used Valentin Barco to mark Jannik Schuster at set-pieces in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
Chelsea's defensive woes have put Maxence Lacroix under scrutiny, with the €60.7m signing blamed for errors and for disrupting Levi Colwill in Alonso's system.
Wesley Fofana has been involved in only six Premier League clean sheets in 58 Chelsea appearances, with injuries and the Blues' defensive instability laid bare.
Chelsea may need changes in Alonso's back five after conceding 12 in five league games, with calls to move Levi Colwill central and start Josh Acheampong.
Chelsea's 24 loanees have produced mixed returns. Strasbourg trio are playing, but several others, including Jesse Derry, Benoit Badiashile and Shim Mheuka, are struggling for minutes.
