Xabi Alonso said Reece James missed the Bournemouth match after picking up a minor injury the previous day. In Chelsea’s update issued before the October 10 fixture, the coach said the defender would be assessed over the coming days without setting a return date. Alonso also welcomed Moisés Caicedo back into the starting line-up following his injury recovery. The statement provides a new update on James’s availability, superseding earlier expectations that he would be ready to play.