Xabi Alonso to consider nine big changes for Hull City clash with Moises Caicedo decision

Xabi Alonso faces a number of key decisions ahead of Chelsea's home clash with Hull City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon

After Xabi Alonso rushed Moises Caicedo back too quickly, to the Chelsea manager's own admission, for the win over Brighton last month, there is set to be some extra caution taken this time around.

Caicedo is in contention to be involved for the Blues as they welcome Hull City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, with the Ecuadorian training with the first-team squad following his calf injury.

Alonso, however, will be debating in his own head, and with his backroom staff, over whether Caicedo should feature from the start this weekend. There is no doubting Chelsea have missed the 24-year-old midfielder but if anything was to happen to him on Saturday, Alonso would kick himself.

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You would, however, presume Caicedo will come back into the XI for the clash with Hull. We will of course hear more from Alonso on his chances during Friday afternoon's pre-match press conference but the Chelsea manager sounded hopeful of his return when he spoke to reporters earlier in the week.

Elsewhere, Emiliano Martinez is set to replace Mike Penders in the side. Penders is likely to appear in the cup competitions but when it comes to the Premier League, it seems as if Martinez is Alonso's No.1 goalkeeper.

Wesley Fofana could also return to the side on Saturday. Alonso might be tempted to revert to a back three, with Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix alongside Fofana in the Chelsea defensive line.

Pedro Neto impressed from the bench on Wednesday evening and could return to the side, perhaps at right wing-back. Jorrel Hato, also, could return to the Blues side after sitting out of the win over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo could partner Reece James in the middle of the park. Romeo Lavia is another option, also, but if Caicedo is deemed fit enough to feature versus Hull, then the Belgian could be the one to lose his place to the Ecuadorian.

The front three picks itself. Even though Alonso was forced to call upon Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the 6-3 win over Leeds, Joao Pedro was afforded a rest, so the Brazil international should be raring to go on Saturday afternoon.

Possible Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Caicedo, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro