football.london has a go at predicting the Chelsea line-up Xabi Alonso will field for this evening's Carabao Cup third round tie against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea away at Arsenal(Image: Visionhaus)
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After Sunday's agonising defeat at the hands of Arsenal, it is time for Chelsea to take to the pitch once more with Leeds United tonight's visitors to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were beaten for the first time this season, and in Xabi Alonso 's reign as manager, at the weekend with the Gunners having too much for them at the Emirates Stadium. While there is plenty for Alonso and his squad to work on and improve, there were also some positives to take from a gruelling afternoon in north London.
This evening could see Alonso make numerous changes as he tries to manage playing time around the squad and keep the morale high. However, there will be no minutes for the likes of Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson, all of whom were ruled out by Alonso in his press conference on Tuesday.
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With that being said, football.london takes a look at the players who are available to Alonso and predicts the XI the Spaniard will choose with Leeds coming to town.
Mike Penders
The cup competitions look like Penders ' best opportunity to get first-team minutes this season. Emiliano Martinez may well be rested for this one, with Hull City the visitors less than 72 hours after the Leeds tie.
Malo Gusto
In the Carabao Cup second round win over Luton Town, Alonso switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation. We could see more of the same here, although it is incredibly difficult to predict. If that is the case, there may be a run out for Gusto on the right-hand side of defence.
Maxence Lacroix
You might be thinking, 'surely Lacroix gets a rest', but as we saw last time out in this competition, Alonso is taking it seriously. There will be a few changes here and there but the Chelsea manager will want to keep a balance.
Jorrel Hato
Levi Colwill was on the bench at Arsenal a few days ago but was not risked after he felt something in training in the build-up. Alonso might be cautious to throw Colwill in for this one and keep him fresh for Saturday instead. Hato could partner Lacroix.
Jorrel Hato
Jorrel Hato has been impressive for Chelsea in the early stages of the season(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto)
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Pep Chavarria
One of the more obvious selections, you would think. Chavarria is expected to start for the Blues tonight on the left-hand side. Whether that is at full-back or wing-back remains to be seen, but for the purpose of this article, it is the former.
Reece James
Ordinarily, Alonso might want to rest James at Stamford Bridge this evening but the manager has a lack of midfield options. Unless one of Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli or Reggie Watson are handed a shock start tonight, then it could be the Chelsea skipper in the engine room.
Valentin Barco
The 22-year-old only has eight minutes - not including stoppage time - to his name so far this season in the Premier League. Barco, though, completed the full match in the last round of the Carabao Cup and he will be hoping to do the same here.
Estevao Willian
Alonso spoke in detail about Estevao on Tuesday and how he sees the Brazilian winger as crucial to his plans this season. We are due, it feels, a big performance from the immensely talented 19-year-old.
Estevao Willian
Estevao Willian is pushing for a start(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Cole Palmer
Palmer, to many people's surprise, started in the last round at home to Luton. Alonso might look to do the same this evening. It wasn't his best performance at the Emirates last time out, but he will be hoping to get back amongst the goals tonight.
Geovany Quenda
A lot of Chelsea supporters are desperate to see more of Quenda. The 19-year-old winger has a sole eight-minute cameo (again, not including added time) to his name thus far. This feels like the perfect time for Alonso to unleash Quenda, perhaps on the left side. Jamie Gittens is also in with a shout.
Danny Welbeck
Joao Pedro will surely be handed a rest ahead of the visit of Hull. As mentioned earlier in the article, Emegha has been ruled out. Welbeck is expected to start at Stamford Bridge as he looks to add to his goal tally after his strike in the last round.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Penders; Gusto, Lacroix, Hato, Chavarria; James, Barco; Estevao, Palmer, Quenda; Welbeck