Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has admitted the club may have brought Moises Caicedo back too quickly as the midfielder continues his recovery from a recurring injury concern.

The Blues boss offered a cautious fitness update on the player after Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

Caicedo’s absence at the Emirates Stadium raised fresh questions about his condition after he was forced off early in Chelsea’s previous match against Brighton.

Caicedo did not travel with the squad for Sunday’s London derby, with Romeo Lavia and Reece James filling the midfield roles in his absence.

The Ecuadorian sustained an injury in the 14th minute against Brighton, prompting Chelsea’s medical staff to conduct a thorough assessment.

Speaking after the Arsenal defeat, Alonso acknowledged that Chelsea may have been too eager to reintroduce the midfielder.

Rather than setting a firm return date, the Spaniard emphasised the importance of managing the player’s workload properly.

He said, “Not longer term, but it is about assessing the risk. Probably last week we took him too early, and I don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

The Chelsea boss added that his main focus is all about securing victories on the pitch.

He added, “My clear priority is to win games and it is easier when you don’t concede. This is something that we need to address. But it’s a new era here and I’m happy with my players, happy with the attitude.”

“It was a great game to witness on the touchline, the players from both sides gave everything… It hurts to lose any game and hurts to lose here at the Emirates.”

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has admitted the club may have brought Moises Caicedo back too quickly as the midfielder continues his recovery from a recurring injury concern.

The Blues boss offered a cautious fitness update on the player after Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

Caicedo’s absence at the Emirates Stadium raised fresh questions about his condition after he was forced off early in Chelsea’s previous match against Brighton.

Caicedo did not travel with the squad for Sunday’s London derby, with Romeo Lavia and Reece James filling the midfield roles in his absence.

The Ecuadorian sustained an injury in the 14th minute against Brighton, prompting Chelsea’s medical staff to conduct a thorough assessment.

Speaking after the Arsenal defeat, Alonso acknowledged that Chelsea may have been too eager to reintroduce the midfielder.

Rather than setting a firm return date, the Spaniard emphasised the importance of managing the player’s workload properly.

He said, “Not longer term, but it is about assessing the risk. Probably last week we took him too early, and I don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

The Chelsea boss added that his main focus is all about securing victories on the pitch.

He added, “My clear priority is to win games and it is easier when you don’t concede. This is something that we need to address. But it’s a new era here and I’m happy with my players, happy with the attitude.”

“It was a great game to witness on the touchline, the players from both sides gave everything… It hurts to lose any game and hurts to lose here at the Emirates.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been under pressure to resign after trying to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors; however, he has confirmed he will stand for re-election in March 2027 as planned; opponents have until November 18 to declare their intention to stand

Infantino has been under pressure to resign after he tried to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments to private investors.

He has refused to step down and he is likely to face a challenger in the vote which will be held at the FIFA Congress in Morocco next year.

Candidates who want to challenge Infantino have to declare their intention to stand in the election by November 18.

FIFA spokesperson: “The FIFA president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election.”

Last month, European nations withdrew their threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving “assurances such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again”.

However, European football’s governing body continues to lead a global drive to force Mr Infantino from power.

Infantino used trips in recent weeks to highlight how FIFA have raised money and invested it in football associations, who each have a vote carrying equal weight in the presidential election.

This week Infantino was at the Women’s U20 World Cup in Poland, where he declined to discuss his future and the current row with UEFA.