Pochettino Reveals Caicedo’s Absence Ahead of Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

Mauricio Pochettino Faces Crucial Decision on Moises Caicedo’s Fitness Ahead of Clash Against Aston Villa.

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Moises Caicedo’s availability for Sunday’s showdown with Aston Villa hinges on a pivotal fitness test scheduled for Saturday. The Ecuadorian midfielder recently returned from the international break nursing an injury that sidelined him during Chelsea’s goalless draw with Bournemouth. Concerns mounted when Caicedo was conspicuously absent from Chelsea’s training sessions throughout the week.

Despite this, the injury report released by Chelsea on Friday surprisingly omitted Caicedo’s name, sparking curiosity among fans. In a press conference, Pochettino shed light on the situation, stating, “We need to evaluate Moi [on Saturday]. He has been following an individual training regimen, separate from the team. The decision regarding his involvement on Sunday depends on the assessment.”

In a more optimistic development, Pochettino provided an encouraging update regarding striker Armando Broja, who underwent knee surgery in December. There is a possibility that Broja could make his return to the pitch this Sunday. Pochettino expressed cautious optimism, saying, “Armando might make an appearance; however, it’s not certain. We will evaluate his condition tomorrow.”

While Broja’s potential return could inject much-needed firepower into Chelsea’s attack, Pochettino emphasized the need for prudence. Broja has spent nine months on the sidelines, and Pochettino cautioned against placing excessive expectations on the academy graduate. “Broja’s return is on the horizon, and he may feature during the weekend. But we must remember that he has been out of competitive action for nine months. We cannot burden him with undue responsibility. The focus should be on the team’s collective effort. We shouldn’t anticipate that Broja will score with every touch; he needs time to regain his competitive edge.”