After a victory at Fulham on Monday night, there is not much time to rest for Xabi Alonso and his Chelsea squad, who take on Luton Town in the Carabao Cup second round on Thursday evening
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez could feature for Chelsea against Luton Town(Image: Pedro Porru/MB Media)
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Chelsea are not allowed too much of a break after Monday night's drama at Craven Cottage, with the Blues back in action on Thursday evening against Luton Town.
The League One side arrive at Stamford Bridge for a Carabao Cup second round tie - with Chelsea having to enter the competition at an earlier stage this season after failing to qualify for European football.
Xabi Alonso is expected to make a number of changes to his side given the quick turnaround in games, with whether or not Enzo Fernandez starts undoubtedly the major talking point going into the tie.
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With that being said, football.london writers Bobby Vincent and Sam Truelove discuss and debate the line-up they would field at Stamford Bridge. And there is a disagreement over whether Fernandez should start.
Bobby Vincent
After Monday night's drama, this is a big chance for Mike Penders to stake his claim. Robert Sanchez made a couple of costly mistakes in the win over Fulham, and Penders is expected to start against Luton. That was always set to be the case regardless of Sanchez's performance at Craven Cottage.
Robert Sanchez
Robert Sanchez was poor for Chelsea in their win over Fulham(Image: Pedro Porru/MB Media)
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I think Alonso should go with a four-back formation to be more attacking given the nature of the game. Malo Gusto on the right, with Josh Acheampong making back-to-back starts in the centre of defence. Jorrel Hato alongside Acheampong and Pep Chavarria to make his full debut on the left-hand side of the back four.
In midfield, I would love to see Reggie Watson - who impressed enormously during pre-season - in a two in front of the defence. Alongside him should be Valentin Barco for his full debut. Fernandez should be left out of the line-up amid all uncertainty over his future.
Geovany Quenda on the right wing, Jamie Gittens on the left-hand side and Estevao Willian in a No.10 role where he has been used at times during his Chelsea career. Danny Welbeck to start up front at Stamford Bridge, with this new-look attack allowing the likes of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers a rest ahead of the weekend's more important game.
Bobby's XI (4-2-3-1): Penders; Gusto, Acheampong, Hato, Chavarria; Barco, Watson; Quenda, Estevao, Gittens; Welbeck
Sam Truelove
We are only one game into the new season and it appears Sanchez could do with somewhat of a confidence boost from Alonso, but I see no reason to give it to him and I would start Penders here.
Hato can shift into left centre-back to give Levi Colwill a rest, while I would also bench the likes of Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro.
Morgan Rogers celebrates
Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Fulham(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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It seems an ideal opportunity to start Barco in the centre of midfield and I would start Fernandez alongside him, despite all the noise surrounding the Argentine. It also makes sense for Chavarria to make his debut for the Blues in the left wing-back role.
With the big hitters rested up top, Estevao, Gittens and Welbeck have more than enough quality to score a few between them against a Luton team who have conceded five goals in two League One games this season.
Sam's XI (3-4-3): Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Hato; Neto, Fernandez, Barco, Chavarria; Estevao, Welbeck, Gittens