Chelsea team news: Caicedo and Martinez doubts ahead of Sunderland trip

Sunday 8 November 2026 · 14:00 UK time

Chelsea head to the Stadium of Light on Sunday with a couple of selection worries, with Moises Caicedo the main concern after a fitness scare in the build-up.

Sports Mole reports that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been left out of the squad for the trip to Sunderland despite having been carrying a knock, suggesting Chelsea have decided not to risk him for this one (Sports Mole). The same outlet also notes that a call has been made on Caicedo's involvement, pointing to late team news emerging from the camp (Sports Mole).

The Evening Standard focuses on Caicedo specifically, saying the midfielder has dropped a major team news hint during a training update that has fans reading into his availability for the Premier League clash (Evening Standard). According to that report, both Caicedo and Martinez have emerged as doubts for the game, which lines up with Sports Mole's mention of decisions being made on both players (Sports Mole) (Evening Standard).

Football.London goes a step further with a predicted lineup, suggesting Xabi Alonso could raise a few eyebrows with his selection against Sunderland (Football.London). That piece also flags Estevao Willian as part of the selection conversation alongside Caicedo, hinting that Alonso has some tricky calls to make in attack as well as midfield (Football.London).

Taken together, the reports point the same way: Chelsea will assess Caicedo and Martinez right up until kick-off, with Sports Mole and the Evening Standard both treating the duo as doubts rather than confirmed absentees, while Football.London's early team news suggests Alonso may be ready to spring a surprise or two in his starting XI (Sports Mole) (Evening Standard) (Football.London).

It's a tricky away day on paper, with Chelsea making the long trip to Wearside, and supporters will be hoping any fitness concerns clear up in time for Sunday's 2pm kick-off. Attention will then quickly turn to a busy week ahead, with Chelsea Women also in action away to BK Häcken on Tuesday.

Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.