Xabi Alonso is set to field a competitive Chelsea side against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, as the Blues look to make the most of a rare season without European commitments to chase domestic silverware.
Chelsea's disappointing tenth-place finish in the Premier League last season came with an unwanted silver lining: freedom from continental fixtures has given Alonso extra time on the training ground at Cobham, and now the club hopes that preparation translates into results on the pitch. With the Carabao Cup and FA Cup viewed as the most realistic paths to a trophy this term, the visit of Daniel Farke's Leeds side carries genuine weight rather than being treated as a routine cup obligation.
Chelsea's cup pedigree has been undermined in recent years by a striking run of misfortune at Wembley, having lost seven consecutive domestic cup finals. The club has not won the FA Cup since 2018 nor the Carabao Cup since 2015, a drought that has fuelled talk among supporters of a lingering curse. Alonso, however, is keen to steer clear of such narratives, focusing instead on tangible performances and squad management.
Some rotation is anticipated given the scale of Chelsea's squad, following a pattern set in the previous round's 2-0 victory over League One outfit Luton Town. That match saw debuts handed to Mike Penders, Valentin Barco and Danny Welbeck, while Jamie Gittens also featured, and Aaron Anselmino and Reggie Watson were included among the substitutes.
"We want to have as many players as possible to be involved and feeling they have an important role," Alonso said in his pre-match press conference. "This will be a chance for players that haven't played so much."
Yet the Spanish coach also opted to start key figures such as Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Maxence Lacroix against Luton, while captain Reece James played the full 90 minutes — evidence that Alonso is not treating the competition as a mere opportunity for fringe players. Given that Leeds troubled Chelsea on multiple occasions last season, the manager appears likely to name a similarly robust lineup at Stamford Bridge.
"We don't have Europe, so the cups are important for us," Alonso reiterated, underlining the increased significance of domestic knockout competitions this campaign.
The manager was also asked about parallels with Chelsea's 2004-05 Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool, which served as the first trophy of Jose Mourinho's reign and a springboard for further success at Stamford Bridge. Alonso, who was on the losing side that day as a Liverpool player, reflected on the memory with a smile.
"We haven't used that as an example, but I remember it very well — because I was on the other side," he said. "There is a chance, and once there is a chance, you want to fight for it, knowing where we are coming from and where we are going to."
With England now among the few major footballing nations still running two separate domestic cup competitions, some top-flight clubs are expected to prioritize the Champions League over the Carabao Cup this season. That shift could open a path for Chelsea to finally end their trophy drought, provided they navigate rounds like this one against Leeds without complacency.
For Alonso and his players, advancing to the fourth round is viewed as an important step in a longer campaign rather than a formality, with the manager clearly determined to avoid any slip-up against a Leeds side capable of causing problems.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.