Mike Penders, Valentin Barco and Danny Welbeck will make their Chelsea debuts against Luton Town, while Enzo Fernandez is surprisingly absent from Xabi Alonso’s matchday squad.
Alonso has made five changes for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup second-round tie at Stamford Bridge following Monday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham.
The most unexpected development is Fernandez’s absence. Alonso said before the game that the Argentina international would be involved, but he is not named among Chelsea’s starting XI or substitutes.
No explanation has yet been given for his omission and it would be premature to connect it with the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.
🚨 CHELSEA XI vs LUTON:
Penders; Gusto, Acheampong, Lacroix, Chavarria; James (C), Barco; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck.
Mike Penders STARTS in goal. 🧤
Reece James captains the side, while there is NO Enzo Fernandez in the squad at all. 👀#CFC pic.twitter.com/pl8lSDOmzr
— ChelseaReport (@chelsreport_) August 27, 2026
Penders handed Chelsea debut against Luton
Penders starts in goal after Alonso confirmed earlier this week that the Belgian had an opportunity to feature.
His inclusion follows ReadChelsea’s predicted XI backing Penders to make his competitive Chelsea debut.
Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Pep Chavarria form the defence.
Captain Reece James continues in midfield alongside Barco, who also makes his Chelsea debut.
Further forward, Alonso has resisted the temptation to completely rest his first-choice attack.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers both retain their places after scoring against Fulham, with Estevao joining them behind Welbeck.
The former Brighton striker makes his first Chelsea appearance after being unused at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea had already confirmed that Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra would miss the Luton tie.
According to Chelsea’s official team announcement, Robert Sanchez, Aaron Anselmino, Jorrel Hato, Watson, Romeo Lavia, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Emmanuel Emegha and Joao Pedro are among the substitutes.
Victory would set up a home Carabao Cup third-round tie against Leeds United.
Chelsea XI: Penders; Gusto, Acheampong, Lacroix, Chavarria; James (c), Barco; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck.
Substitutes: Sanchez, Anselmino, Hato, Watson, Lavia, Gittens, Neto, Emegha, Joao Pedro.
Chelsea or Luton will host Leeds in Carabao Cup third round
Chelsea or Luton will host Leeds in Carabao Cup third round
Five Chelsea players fighting for Brighton place against Luton
Five Chelsea players fighting for Brighton place against Luton