Where is Moises Caicedo? Chelsea midfielder absent from Blues squad to face Fulham in Premier League opener

Where is Moises Caicedo? Chelsea midfielder absent from Blues squad to face Fulham in Premier League opener originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Only two teams were left to get their Premier League season under way in 2026/27 as Chelsea and Fulham squared off at Craven Cottage on Monday, the final game of Matchweek 1.

The matchup saw two former Real Madrid managers take charge of the teams, as Xabi Alonso of Chelsea and Alvaro Arbeloa of Fulham both debuted for their English clubs.

While Arbeloa’s Fulham looked largely as expected when lineups were released 75 minutes before kickoff, there were significant absences from the Chelsea squad that were not expected.

The Sporting News brings you the latest updates on what happened to certain key Chelsea players and why they were not involved against Fulham on opening day.

MORE:Chelsea projected lineup for 2026/27 season

Moises Caicedo omitted from Chelsea squad to face Fulham

When the squads were announced for the match between Fulham and Chelsea, there were two surprising absentees from Xabi Alonso’s squad.

The most notable of them was Moises Caicedo, who has become a regular, everyday starter for Chelsea in midfield as one of the best No. 6’s in the Premier League.

Instead, Alonso deployed Reece James and Romeo Lavia at the base of midfield, with Josh Acheampong taking over at the back with James moved up into the middle.

Caicedo was still spotted at Craven Cottage exiting the team bus with the rest of the squad, so despite his absence from the game, he was still in attendance for this London derby.

Why is Moises Caicedo out of Chelsea match vs. Fulham?

It was not immediately clear why Moises Caicedo was omitted from the Chelsea squad to face Fulham on opening day of the Premier League season.

When Xabi Alonso was asked about the absence before the game, he was cryptic, but suggested that Caicedo had picked up a fitness concern, reportedly claiming that the Blues had suffered “some minor setbacks” during the week in the run-up to the match.

Alonso did not give any other specifics, but it does not sound serious.

Where is Marco Palestra for Chelsea against Fulham?

Another surprising absence from the Chelsea squad was Marco Palestra, a new signing for Chelsea this offseason who has impressed during a preseason run-up to the campaign.

The 21-year-old right-back signed for Chelsea for €57 million from Serie A side Atalanta this summer, and has looked bright through the friendly matches against Real Sociedad and AC Milan.

It can be assumed that Palestra was another who picked up a “minor setback” that Alonso was referring to before the Fulham game.