Chelsea draw Luton in Carabao Cup as Alonso prepares first tie
Chelsea have been handed a home tie against League One Luton in the Carabao Cup second round, with Xabi Alonso set to begin their bid to win it for the first time since 2015 later this month.
Chelsea players have been ‘wowed’ by Xabi Alonso’s quality on the ball in training, with sources saying he led sessions with calm authority and 'was directing traffic'.
Chelsea’s reported prices for striker exits are more than £30m for Liam Delap and about £65m for Nicolas Jackson, with both linked to interested clubs.
Chelsea will start their Carabao Cup campaign at home to Luton Town, with the tie set for the week commencing 24 August.
Manchester City are not interested in signing Chelsea winger Pedro Neto this summer, with Savinho’s strong pre-season potentially shaping their plans.
Levi Colwill’s ‘my 8’ comment on Romeo Lavia’s Instagram has fuelled talk over Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea future as the midfielder returns to Cobham.
Chelsea could keep Tosin Adarabioyo as back-up after Trevoh Chalobah’s sale, with Benoit Badiashile also linked away and Xabi Alonso needing centre-back cover.
Chelsea have been told Arsenal want at least €90m for Martin Zubimendi, while Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is close to joining Portsmouth on a season-long loan.
Arsenal’s reported interest in Pedro Neto has drawn a largely negative fan reaction, with Chelsea valuing the winger at £70m amid ongoing exit links.
Joao Pedro scored twice as Chelsea beat AC Milan 3-0, while Alonso’s back-three system and advanced wing-backs again stood out in a 3-3 draw with JDT.
