Xabi Alonso said Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra were both left out of the squad to face Fulham after suffering ‘setbacks’ this week.

Caicedo and summer signing Palestra were surprise exclusions from the team sheet on Monday night as Chelsea prepare to face Fulham in the first match of their Premier League season.

A midfield pairing of Reece James and Romeo Lavia got the nod at Craven Cottage in Caicedo’s place, while Malo Gusto starts as a right-wing-back with Palestra sidelined.

Speaking pre-match, though, Alonso was quick to downplay the pair’s problems, simply saying they had suffered ‘setbacks’.

He told Sky Sports: “During the week they had setbacks. With Moi, we don’t want to take risks.

“They were not ready to play tonight. We go week-by-week, but they were not ready for tonight.”

Both Palestra and Caicedo were spotted at Craven Cottage despite not being fit to play. So too is Jordan Henderson.

It is a disappointing setback for Palestra, who had been widely expected to make his competitive debut for his new club here after impressing throughout pre-season.

The same is true of Caicedo, who has been instrumental for Chelsea since signing from Brighton in 2023 and made 33 Premier League appearances last season. He also featured Chelsea’s pre-season campaign.

It was a telling team named by Alonso, which offered plenty of hints as to where Chelsea may do their business between now and the closing of the summer transfer window.

Enzo Fernandez was named to the bench as he remains heavily linked with a move to Manchester City. There are also questions over his fitness level after he took an extended holiday following the World Cup.

Left out of the side completely were Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, Dario Essugo and Marc Guiu, all of whom are expected to leave the club this summer.