Hatters will head to Stamford Bridge later this month
Luton Town will travel to Premier League side Chelsea in the Carabao Cup later this month following last night’s second round draw.
The Hatters’ reward for a 3-0 victory at League Two Gillingham on Saturday is a tie at Stamford Bridge, to face a side under new management this season, former Liverpool and Spain midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who has been in charge of both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid during his career, appointed in the summer.
He has been investing heavily already in his squad, Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers the big-name addition so far, while experienced duo Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are also on board from Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford respectively. Argentina international Valentin Barco has signed from Strasbourg, along with Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, plus Italian right back Marco Palestra.
Luton will head to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup second round - pic: Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Luton will head to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup second round - pic: Getty Images
Going out of the door has been World Cup winner Marc Cucurella to Spanish giants Real Madrid, with winger Alejandro Garnacho joining Aston Villa, Tyrique George heading to Everton, and midfielder Andrey Santos completing a big money switch to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Luton's last trip to Stamford Bridge was a 3-0 loss in the Premier League, Raheem Sterling scoring twice, with Nicolas Jackson also on target, as they also went down at home that season, beaten 3-2, Ross Barkley and Elijah Adebayo netting for the hosts. Town have faced the Blues twice more in cup competitions during the last few years, defeated 3-2 once more at Kenilworth Road in the fourth round of the FA Cup in March 2022, having led 2-1 at half time with goals from Reece Burke and Harry Cornick.
They also headed to West London in the FA Cup fourth round in January 2021 when no supporters were allowed in due to Covid rules, Jordan Clark with the Hatters goal that day as Town went down to a 3-1 reverse. Luton’s last win at Chelsea came almost 40 years ago, when Mike Newell scored twice and Brian Stein was on target during a 3-1 Division One success in September 1986.
A club statement on the Hatters’ official website said: “The Hatters will face a familiar opponent of recent times after the Carabao Cup second round draw threw up a trip to Chelsea. The Town's reward for a 3-0 first round win at Gillingham is a return to Stamford Bridge, where we have played in both the FA Cup and Premier League in recent campaigns.
“Our visit, scheduled for week commencing Monday 24th August, a night when the Blues already have their Premier League fixture against Fulham, will be the clubs' fifth meeting in the last five-and-a-half years. It follows on from an FA Cup fourth round tie played behind closed doors at the west London ground during the covid restrictions in place during 2020/21, and our second game of the 2023/24 season in the top flight.
“Sandwiched in between was a home FA Cup fifth round tie in 2021/22, as well as the Premier League return at Kenilworth Road in December 2023. Details of the date and kick-off time of this second round tie in the Carabao Cup will be confirmed, along with ticket information, in due course.”
Full draw, Southern Section: Walsall vs Leyton Orient; Ipswich v Leicester; Cardiff v Norwich; Stevenage v Reading; Cambridge v Millwall; Birmingham City v Brentford; Southampton v West Ham; Watford v Peterborough; Fulham v AFC Wimbledon; Plymouth v Coventry; Chelsea v Luton; Tottenham v Charlton.
Northern Section: Stoke City v Hull City; Newcastle v West Brom; Blackburn v Sheffield Utd; Nottingham Forest v Leeds; Doncaster v Middlesbrough; Barnsley v Crewe; Preston v Everton; Blackpool v Lincoln; Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves; Bradford v Burnley; Fleetwood v Shrewsbury.