Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
The Chelsea Chronicle have broken down five things we learned about the Blues after their 2-0 win against Luton Town in the EFL Cup.
Xabi Alonso made plenty of changes to his starting side following their opening day Premier League win against Fulham, with Danny Welbeck coming in to score on his debut.
Victory set up a home tie against Leeds United in the third round of the competition, although before that there are some tricky Premier League ties to navigate.
Chelsea player ratings vs Luton
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Five things learned after Chelsea 2-0 Luton
Alonso’s first game at home taught us plenty about what he might have in store for this season, and The Chelsea Chronicle has picked out five things we learned in particular.
Valentin Barco has a role to play this season
A first start for Chelsea saw Valentin Barco rank high in our player ratings, after he lined up in midfield for the Blues.
At times, the game looked too easy for the Argentine, who shrugged off the boo boys which may follow him around this season following his World Cup exploits.
Despite very little fanfare over his signing, Barco looks as if he has the quality to play an important role in midfield this season.
Chelsea v Luton Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
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Danny Welbeck is more than just experience
The additions of Danny Welbeck, and later Jordan Henderson have clearly been made to add much-needed experience to the Chelsea squad.
However, Welbeck proved with his debut goal that he has more to offer than just that, and can be a suitable rotation option with Joao Pedro.
Throwing in some very nice link-up play with the rest of the attack, there was a lot to like about Welbeck’s performance tonight.
Reece James is now a midfielder
Both competitive starts under Xabi Alonso have seen Reece James begin the game in the heart of midfield, next to different partners in Romeo Lavia and Barco.
It looks as if this is the position the Spaniard is going to use the skipper in this season, despite the majority of his career occurring at right-back so far.
The hope will be that featuring in midfield will be less taxing on James, who has suffered dearly with injuries in recent years.
Chelsea v Luton Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
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Chelsea are going to play in multiple systems under Alonso
After playing in a back three against Fulham, Chelsea shifted to a back four as they welcomed lower-league opposition to Stamford Bridge.
It has become clear that Alonso believes he will need to float between both systems depending on the opposition and what the game will look like.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have impressed in both formations in their first two games of the campaign.
Cole Palmer is at it this season
While he didn’t get his goal against Luton, it was another confident and dominant performance from Cole Palmer, who has started the season in superb form.
The England international clearly has a point to prove after his World Cup blow, and Thomas Tuchel was in attendance to watch him at Stamford Bridge.
Any fitness woes seem to have left Palmer behind, and he finally looks like Chelsea’s star man again.