Chelsea Star Dodges Grueling 10,000+ Mile International Journey Due to Health Concerns

Moisés Caicedo emerged as Chelsea's match-winner on Saturday, netting a spectacular goal in their 2–1 triumph against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and Blues fans can celebrate knowing he'll receive some much-needed rest during the international window after Ecuador excluded him from their squad due to fitness considerations.

Caicedo, who shines for both his club and national team, consistently plays the full 90 minutes whenever he steps onto the field and is among several players who experienced a truncated pre-season due to his participation in the Club World Cup.

Towards the end of last week, Ecuador's head coach Sebastián Beccacece revealed: "Regarding Moisés, his manager [Enzo Maresca] mentioned he's carrying an injury. He's not in optimal condition, but his drive and dedication mean he always wants to deliver performances like he did versus Argentina. We're deliberating on his squad inclusion."

These remarks preceded Caicedo's ninth complete match of the season, where he delivered a magnificent strike in a memorable 2–1 victory against Liverpool. He was then omitted from Ecuador's national squad.

The exact nature of Caicedo's fitness issues remains unclear, but Beccacece chose not to gamble with his key player's wellbeing, particularly since Ecuador's upcoming matches are friendly encounters against the United States and Mexico.

Following Chelsea's triumph over Liverpool, Blues assistant coach Willy Caballero had to represent Enzo Maresca in the press conference after the head coach received a red card for his animated celebrations of Estêvão's decisive late goal. The former goalkeeper, who served as a Chelsea player for four seasons from 2017 to 2021, provided insight into the midfielder's situation.

"Concerning Moi, what more is there to add? He's featured in numerous matches including the Club World Cup and international duty, so we must carefully manage his workload to ensure he feels fresh for matches," Caballero stated.

"In the Liverpool clash, he delivered another outstanding performance and played brilliantly. His wonderful goal also provided us with better control of the match.

"We must monitor him closely because all players who have been regulars since last season's beginning are dealing with certain issues, which is why we consider Moi and Enzo [Fernández]. Occasionally, they participate in modified training sessions because we want them match-ready."