Chelsea could make nine changes to their starting XI against Leeds United on Wednesday night as Xabi Alonso turns to his squad depth in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues host Daniel Farke’s side at Stamford Bridge only three days after their 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, with another Premier League game against Hull City following on Saturday.
Alonso rotated in the previous round against Luton Town and could do so again, leaving Estêvão Willian, Danny Welbeck, Geovany Quenda and Mike Penders among those pushing to start.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Leeds
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1):
Penders; Gusto, Lacroix, Colwill, Chavarria; Barco, Lavia; Quenda, Estêvão, Gittens; Welbeck.
That would represent nine changes from the side beaten at Arsenal, with only Maxence Lacroix and Romeo Lavia retaining their places.
Alonso has already shown he is willing to make significant changes in this competition.
Chelsea’s official starting XI against Luton included Penders, Malo Gusto, Pep Chavarria, Valentin Barco and Welbeck, while Estêvão was also handed a start.
Penders could get second Chelsea start
Emiliano Martinez has started Chelsea’s three Premier League matches since arriving from Aston Villa, but Wednesday looks like another opportunity for Penders.
The Belgian made his competitive Chelsea debut in the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Luton, keeping a clean sheet as Alonso used the competition to spread minutes around his squad.
With Hull visiting only three days after Leeds, there appears little need to use Martinez in every game.
Gusto and Chavarria could similarly return at full-back.
Levi Colwill is another strong candidate after remaining an unused substitute against Arsenal.
Alonso started Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana and Lacroix at the Emirates before Chelsea eventually moved into a more conventional back four.
The official Arsenal match report confirms Colwill played no part, leaving him considerably fresher than several of Chelsea’s other defenders.
Caicedo unlikely to be risked against Leeds
The biggest question once again surrounds Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo missed the Arsenal game completely after suffering another fitness setback following his brief return against Brighton.
Alonso subsequently admitted Chelsea may have brought the midfielder back too early and said he did not want to make the same mistake again.
Our latest Moises Caicedo injury update explains why Wednesday appears an unnecessary moment to gamble on the Ecuador international.
Chelsea do not believe the problem is long term, making patience even more sensible.
Reece James could also be rested after captaining the side and playing in central midfield at Arsenal.
That opens the door for Barco.
The Argentine started alongside James against Luton and could partner Lavia this time, with the latter playing only an hour at the Emirates.
Estêvão deserves Chelsea start
The most intriguing selection decision comes further forward.
Estêvão was only introduced for the final stages at Arsenal but almost rescued Chelsea with a curling effort which forced an excellent save from David Raya.
It followed another lively performance against Luton.
ReadChelsea has already looked at why Estêvão has given Alonso a major selection decision before Leeds, and Wednesday now looks like the obvious opportunity to start him.
Geovany Quenda and Jamie Gittens were unused substitutes against Arsenal and should also be fresh.
Starting that trio would allow Alonso to rest Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto after a demanding afternoon at the Emirates.
Welbeck can lead rotated Chelsea attack
Danny Welbeck should also come firmly into consideration.
The summer signing started the previous Carabao Cup tie and scored his first Chelsea goal against Luton.
He then played only the closing minutes against Arsenal.
João Pedro has started all three Premier League matches, so giving Welbeck the No.9 role would allow Chelsea to manage the Brazilian while retaining plenty of experience in attack.
This would be a heavily rotated Chelsea XI, but not an inexperienced one.
Colwill, Gusto, Lavia, Estêvão, Quenda, Gittens and Welbeck are all competing for bigger roles under Alonso.
Against an unbeaten Leeds side, Wednesday gives several of them the perfect opportunity to make their argument impossible to ignore.
