Chelsea lineup vs. Leeds: Predicted XI for EFL Cup third-round tie

By Oliver Thomas | 07 Sep 2026 18:05, Last updated: 07 Sep 2026 18:39

Chelsea could without 3 players for Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round clash against Leeds United astatine Stamford Bridge.

While Jordan Henderson is inactive recovering from a breached wrist, Moises Caicedo and summertime signing Marco Palestra are some doubtful with unspecified injuries and whitethorn not beryllium risked for this midweek fixture.

Record signing Morgan Rogers scored aft conscionable 77 seconds successful Chelsea’s 2-1 Premier League decision to Arsenal connected Sunday, but helium could beryllium 1 high-profile subordinate that Xabi Alonso whitethorn instrumentality retired of the starting lineup should helium determine to freshen up his team.

Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro some started successful onslaught on with Rogers past clip out, but Danny Welbeck, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda volition presumption Wednesday’s contention arsenic a beardown accidental to gain minutes from the start.

Pedro Neto is different attacker astatine Alonso’s disposal, but helium began arsenic a close wing-back against Arsenal and could beryllium replaced by Malo Gusto against Leeds, portion Pep Chavarria volition anticipation to commencement up of Jorrel Hato connected the other flank.

Reece James and Romeo Lavia are beardown contenders to proceed successful centre-midfield, unless Alonso decided to commencement Valentin Barco, portion Levi Colwill could beryllium recalled astatine the disbursal of either Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix oregon Wesley Fofana successful the backmost three.

Emiliano Martinez has taken the No.1 jersey astatine Chelsea since his precocious summertime arrival, but Mike Penders is acceptable to diagnostic regularly successful cupful competitions and volition anticipation to commencement for the 2nd clip this play aft keeping a cleanable expanse successful the 2-0 second-round triumph implicit Luton past month.

Chelsea imaginable starting lineup:

Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Lavia, Barco, Chavarria; Estevao, Palmer; Welbeck