Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea having to play in the second round of the League Cup this season will already cause a fixture pile-up for the Blues at an early stage of the 2026/27 season, that could have been avoided in the previous campaign.
The Blues have been given a home draw against Luton Town to book a place in Round Three, where all of the Premier League sides who are in Europe will enter the competition.
Xabi Alonso does not have any form of European football to contend with at Stamford Bridge this season, which was posed as a positive for a side who have hardly had any rest over the past 24 months.
Chelsea's pre-season results
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso set for busy start to season after Chelsea’s failings last year
However, their appearance in this early stage of the League Cup will see their first game in that competition played on Thursday 27 August, just three days after they get their Premier League campaign underway against Fulham.
The Blues are currently slated to be back in action on Sunday 30 August against Brighton for their first home league game, meaning they are in for three games in six days at the start of the season.
Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Now, Chelsea should have no issues overcoming League One opposition, and rotation can be expected for that game to give players such as Geovany Quenda and Jamie Gittens the chance to impress.
However, a squad who saw injuries help derail their campaign last year would not have been wanting such a busy start to the campaign.
Xabi Alonso on Marco Palestra
Credit: Andri Munazir/NurPhoto/Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea need time on the training ground
The likes of Reece James, Morgan Rogers, Enzo Fernandez and Maxence Lacroix haven’t even joined up with the first team squad yet, with their physical condition yet to be assessed.
Time on the training ground is going to be crucial for Chelsea too, who seem to be learning a new back-three system brought to the club by the new manager.
With plenty of big-name signings too, these will take time to be fully integrated into the side,
The club’s failings last year have not allowed for them to enjoy a comfortable start to the new season, and Alonso will have to put up with this as he looks to get them back on track.