The latest Chelsea team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Leeds United
Chelsea’s 100% winning start to the 2026/27 season ended last weekend, when Xabi Alonso’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat away to London rivals Arsenal. The Blues got off to a dream start after Morgan Rogers netted in under two minutes, but the hosts fought back and earned a relatively comfortable win thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
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Next up, Chelsea are back in Carabao Cup action against Leeds United, after breezing past Luton Town in the second round last month. A win for the Blues would see them move into the fourth round, as they look to win the competition for the first time since 2015, having lost in the final on three occasions since them.
Alonso has relatively little in the way of injury concerns heading into the match, but still has one or two issues to ponder. Moises Caicedo was unable to play against Arsenal as he continues his recovery from injury, and will probably not be risked against Leeds. It’s likely to be the same story for both Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, both of whom are also being eased back into action.
As Chelsea look to earn their place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, we’ve taken a look at the most likely starting XI the Blues will field to take on a Leeds United side they failed to beat in both Premier League meetings last season.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Leeds: goalkeeper and defence
Youngster Josh Acheampong is expected to get plenty of minutes for Chelsea this seasonplaceholder image
Youngster Josh Acheampong is expected to get plenty of minutes for Chelsea this season | Getty Images
GK - Mike Penders: Chelsea finally took action to solve their goalkeeping problems by moving out Robert Sanchez and bringing in Emi Martinez before deadline day. They’ll likely rest the Argentina international against the Whites, and keep the faith with rising star Penders as their cup ‘keeper. He had a highly impressive 2025/26 season on loan with Strasbourg.
CB - Josh Acheampong: Alonso looks to be sticking with his favoured back three this season, which should see academy graduate Acheampong get plenty of first-team opportunities. He started against the Gunners after Levi Colwill was ruled out due to a fitness issue, and could slot in once more against the Whites to give Wesley Fofana a rest.
CB - Maxence Lacroix: One of a number of experienced signings the Blues made last summer, Lacroix has got his Chelsea career off to a decent start so far. He’s the only player in the squad to have played every minute of the club’s four matches this season, and is expected to start again at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.
CB - Levi Colwill: Details of Colwill’s surprise absence against Arsenal were minimal, but he’s expected to be back to play against Leeds. The 23-year-old will be looking to kick on this season after his 2025/26 was derailed by a serious ACL injury, and will be hopeful of earning an England recall with a couple of solid displays over the next few days.
RWB - Malo Gusto: Chelsea failed to sign a midfielder to replace Enzo Fernandez on deadline day, after the Argentina international finally got his big-money move. This has meant Gusto has often been shoehorned into a central midfield role, and played there against Arsenal when substituted on. He could return to his favoured position against Leeds, however.
LWB - Pep Chavarria: Another new summer recruit, Chavarria has had limited opportunities to feature thus far, but did get to play the full ninety minutes in the previous cup round against Luton. He’ll likely do so again against Daniel Farke’s side, allowing first-choice option Jorrel Hato to get some rest.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Leeds: midfield and attack
Danny Welbeck scored in Chelsea's 2-0 second round Carabao Cup win over Luton Townplaceholder image
Danny Welbeck scored in Chelsea's 2-0 second round Carabao Cup win over Luton Town | Getty Images
CM - Romeo Lavia: The aforementioned midfield numbers struggle has seen the pressure on Lavia increase considerably, especially with Caicedo unable to feature. Alonso will be fearful of the notoriously injury-prone £53m Belgian coming a cropper against Leeds, but he has little choice but to keep playing him with his other quality options in such limited supply.
CM - Valentin Barco: He gave a decent account of himself in his first Chelsea start against Luton, and will likely get the chance to do so again when Leeds come to west London. Another Blues player who learned the ropes at Strasbourg, Barco is viewed as a high-potential youngster who could be flipped for a substantial profit in years to come.
AMC - Estevao: Rumours have suggested that the Brazilian wonderkid is far from pleased with his lack of minutes this season, with Alonso’s distaste for playing out-and-out wingers coming as bad news for several members of the squad. Estevao will need to adapt to a more central role, and should get the chance to do so against Leeds while Cole Palmer is rested.
AMC - Morgan Rogers: Chelsea’s £117m superstar signing is looking like an excellent investment thus far, linking up with Palmer and Joao Pedro as if the trio had been playing on the same side for years. He could be given a start against Leeds, before perhaps being withdrawn from action midway through the second half and saved for Hull City’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
ST - Danny Welbeck: The veteran striker scored a trademark goal in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Luton, and will be expected to start throughout his side’s Carabao Cup run, however long that may last. Welbeck will turn 36 in November, but remains a top quality striker with a keen eye for goal.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Leeds United: Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Lavia, Barco, Chavarria; Estevao, Rogers; Welbeck.
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