Why Henderson-Caicedo axis is the midfield solution for Chelsea after James blow

Jordan Henderson was player of the match last Saturday and Moises Caicedo shone on his return to the Chelsea XI; manager Xabi Alonso has been searching for a solution in midfield and, with Reece James out injured, the Henderson-Caicedo combination could be the answer for the Blues

"They give presence." Xabi Alonso sat up a little more in his press conference seat and pointed to his chest. "They give stability."

Chelsea have made an erratic start under the Spaniard but last Saturday the midfield partnership of Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson brought control and balance to the team in a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth.

"For me, it's fundamental that we get that area strong," Alonso told the media after that game, well aware of how Chelsea's excellent attacking play in the early weeks of the season has been undermined by a leaky defence, exposed in end-to-end contests.

Alonso, a star central midfielder himself during his playing days, has used a variety of players and combinations in that area through his first six Premier League games.

Source: Sky Sports