Xabi Alonso press conference LIVE - Chelsea boss on Leeds, Caicedo injury, team news, Carabao Cup

Xabi Alonso takes his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup third round tie against Leeds United on Wednesday evening

Xabi Alonso will speak to the media at 1:30pm (UK time) today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's clash with Leeds United on Wednesday evening.

The Blues welcome the Whites to Stamford Bridge tomorrow night in the third round of this season's Carabao Cup. The tie is sandwiched in between two Premier League matches; the defeat to Arsenal on Sunday and the home clash with Hull City this coming Saturday.

It will be interesting to see if that forces, or tempts, Alonso to rotate when Leeds come to town in little over 24 hours' time. We are awaiting an update on midfielder Moises Caicedo's injury troubles after the Ecuadorian missed Sunday's loss at the Emirates Stadium.

Alonso is likely to be asked about the latest team news, the Carabao Cup, how his players have responded to their first defeat of his tenure, and much, much more.

Bobby Vincent is live at Chelsea's Cobham base this afternoon to bring you word-for-word updates from the Blues manager shortly.

Key Events

Xabi arrives

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Good afternoon

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That's all

A full transcript will be online shortly.

Leeds cup tie

We are expecting a very intense game, very tough, with lots of duels, but we need to cope with that and find solutions.

Do Chelsea need to get meaner?

We want to compete. I don't know about 'meaner', or whatever, but we need to compete in order to win games. It comes in the football way and the spirit and mentality way.

Henderson and Emegha ready to play?

No, not yet. How far? Ask me on Friday.

The process

It's going to be a long process but we need to be assessing where things are going. We need to be demanding as well. We need to improve. For sure, we want to have as many clean sheets as possible but the competition is hard. We are taking steps.

Caicedo back for Hull?

Potentially, yes, but we will have to wait. Thursday or Friday we will know more.

Have you spoken to Estevao?

Private conversations should remain private. The season is going to be long. The players have the desire and the hunger to improve. Este is part of the group - he has a very good attitude and mentality to prepare for every game.

Estevao unhappy?

No, Este is ready. He's training well. The other day, he had a good impact and a good chance. With Este, I count on him 100% because of his potential because he's so young. The season is going to be long.

First impressions of Barco

He's a competitor. He is a fighter, he's very good with the ball, he's very open to adapt quickly but he's intelligent. When you have this mentality and this intelligence, it's easier for him to adapt.

Is Colwill fit?

He's ok for tomorrow.

Frustrating to not have Palestra?

Especially for him. He came with huge energy and huge desire to enjoy the Premier League. He had a very good pre-season and then a few days before the game vs Fulham, he picked up an injury. We will need him for sure because he has a great potential and lots of good qualities.

Palestra and Caicedo ready?

Not yet. They're still not ready to go. It's not the moment to take too early of a risk. We'll go game by game with them, but it's too early.

Arsenal defeat

With time, you have a deeper analysis and you can settle the emotions after the game. Until now, all the games have told us things, we have learned from them. We have talked, we have shared our feelings, our sensations in the game. Our main focus is now tomorrow.

Xabi arrives

The Chelsea manager has arrived. Live updates to follow...

Slight delay

We're running a bit behind here. Hopefully Alonso will arrive soon.

Less than 10 minutes!

Grab a quick drink or something to eat as the Chelsea boss will be here in the next 10 minutes!

Not too long now

Xabi Alonso is due in around 20 minutes' time. On the agenda today could be:

Carabao Cup clash vs Leeds United

Injury news - latest on Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra

The reaction after the defeat to Arsenal

Whether he will make changes

And more

Talking points from the Emirates

Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season, and in Xabi Alonso's tenure, on Sunday afternoon after Arsenal came back from a goal down to record all three points at the Emirates Stadium.

There were some positives from a Blues point of view, but also plenty of things that desperately need to be improved.

Bobby Vincent wrote up the main talking points from north London and you can read them here.

Eight changes for Chelsea?

Xabi Alonso may well consider making some changes to his Chelsea side for tomorrow night's Carabao Cup tie with Leeds United.

Given it comes in the middle of a hectic week for the Blues, Alonso could be tempted by using his squad a little bit more.

Bobby Vincent thinks the Chelsea manager could make as many as eight at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Read more here

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome back to football.london for live coverage of Xabi Alonso's pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea versus Leeds United tomorrow night.

The Blues manager is set to address the media from 1:30pm (UK time) today as he looks ahead to Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup third round tie against the Whites.

Bobby Vincent is in Cobham this afternoon to bring you live updates from Alonso.

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