Mike Penders starts for Chelsea against Luton in the Carabao Cup tonight, but Enzo Fernandez is not involved at all.
Chelsea won their opening game of the season 3-2 away at Fulham earlier this week and Xabi Alonso has made some changes ahead of Sunday’s home Premier League match against Brighton.
Penders in goal, Barco makes debut
The highly-rated Penders is given the nod in goal, with Robert Sanchez having made two mistakes against Fulham.
In midfield, Valentin Barco makes his competitive debut after a summer transfer from Chelsea’s BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, with fellow new signing Pep Chavarria at left-back and Danny Welbeck up front.
Injuries and suspension
Moises Caicedo misses out again through injury, along with Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson.
When asked on Wednesday about Caicedo and Palestra, Alonso said of their availability against Luton: “Not for tomorrow. Both. Let’s hope Moi [Caicedo] can make it for the weekend. “We need to check a little bit more with Marco.”
Wesley Fofana serves the second match of his two-game suspension following a red card received on the final day of last season at Sunderland.
Front line and team news
Alonso’s front three of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and new £117million man Morgan Rogers all found the net against Fulham, with Palmer and Rogers both retaining their places tonight but Joao Pedro on the bench.
That means more minutes for Josh Acheampong and Maxence Lacroix at the back for Chelsea, along with Malo Gusto and Chavarria.
Reece James captains the side from midfield, with Estevao also in attack but no Fernandez even on the bench amid rumours over an imminent transfer bid from Manchester City.
Chelsea XI: Penders, Gusto, Acheampong, Lacroix, Chavarria, James, Barco, Estevao, Palmer, Rogers, Welbeck
Subs: Sanchez, Anselmino, Hato, Watson, Lavia, Gittens, Neto, Emegha, Joao Pedro
Injured: Caicedo, Palestra, Henderson
Suspended: Fofana
Time and date: 7.30pm BST on Thursday August 27, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge
How to watch: Sky Sports
