'More complete team': Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso hails Moises Caicedo impact

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alonso-xabi/hAcTWKKN/"]Alonso[/a] – who oversaw two victories in his first two matches in charge of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] before failing to ‌win any of the next three - gave [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/caicedo-moises/tIqaAkDs/"]Caicedo[/a] his [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/chelsea-4fGZN2oK/?mid=8I6zQB5t"]first start of the ‌season[/a] after being sidelined with a calf problem.[/p][p]The Ecuadorian, 24, provided a stronger shield for Chelsea's ‌defence that has looked shaky since the campaign began and he formed an ‌effective partnership with 36 year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/henderson-jordan/UFMlUD6r/"]Jordan Henderson[/a] who scored twice.[/p][p]Alonso stressed the importance of Caicedo's return after a brief appearance in August when he lasted only 14 minutes as a substitute before having ‌to limp off.[/p][image alt="Caicedo stats vs Bournemouth" id="aeb982dd-5f2b-45bd-be87-1869627fedef" credit-line="Flashscore" hidden-attrs="alt, credit" guid="529a7180-9acc-4d1e-b675-60bf9ec33ffc" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]"[b]With him we have a better midfield area ⁠and when you are better in the ‌middle you have a more complete team and something to build around[/b]," the Spaniard told reporters.[/p][p]"[b]I ​am so happy that Moi is feeling better because he is going to be a key player for us. We knew that and we have ​seen (it) today[/b]."[/p][p]In further encouragement for Chelsea fans, right back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/palestra-marco/Y3DYaDdP/"]Marco Palestra[/a] - who signed from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atalanta/8C9JjMXu/"]Atalanta[/a] in Italy in the close season but was injured soon after - made his ⁠debut as a substitute.[/p][p]The two goals ​from Henderson and another two from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/joao-pedro/CAmJERl2/"]Joao Pedro[/a] – both players who have also been in the medical room – and a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rogers-morgan/lp4jm80n/"]Morgan Rogers[/a] strike underscored Chelsea’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s entertainers this season.[/p][p]They added to their tally of early goals as they ‌rushed into a 2-0 lead within 149 seconds and got their third a little more than 30 seconds after the start of the second half.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/palmer-cole/h8agbDt7/"]Cole Palmer[/a] celebrated signing a contract extension by providing two assists, adding to the signs that he is getting back to top form.[/p][p]The only worries for Alonso were Chelsea's failure to keep a clean sheet for a 22nd Premier League game in a row when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bournemouth/OtpNdwrc/"]Bournemouth[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/evanilson/lUqxFifa/"]Evanilson[/a] briefly gave the visitors hope in the second half, and the absence of captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/james-reece/nLBC7ERa/"]Reece James[/a].[/p][image alt="Match stats" id="01cdb6f7-87b6-4935-b936-56d6a04ec7f2" credit-line="Flashscore" hidden-attrs="alt, credit" guid="9d43bf2f-d1e5-4eae-b1d2-cbb28cec063c" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Alonso said James - who has missed long spells in recent seasons due to hamstring ‌problems - had suffered a knee injury in training on Friday.[/p][p]Chelsea will face stiffer tests ​this season than Bournemouth who have not won any of their six games ‌so far under new manager Marco Rose and were missing key players including England midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/scott-alex/boFdbMyt/"]Alex Scott[/a] and strikers [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kroupi-eli-junior/fHMXip22/"]Eli Kroupi[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kluivert-justin/fq4lU5sI/"]Justin Kluivert[/a].[/p][p]Alonso said Chelsea lost control of the game briefly when Bournemouth pulled a goal back through Evanilson to make it 3-1 in the 51st minute, but he took encouragement from ⁠the way they finished off the game ⁠with two goals in three minutes ‌later on.[/p][p]"[b]From today we take positives for the future[/b]," he said.[/p]