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Danny Welbeck scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 2-0 win over Luton in the Carabao Cup second round, but Enzo Fernández was left out
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Football — Jacob Steinberg at Stamford Bridge
Emiliano Martínez is on his way but another high-profile Argentinian is likely to be wearing a different shade of blue soon. Chelsea have dealt with their biggest weakness, satisfying Xabi Alonso’s wish for a new goalkeeper by agreeing a £7.5m deal to sign Martínez from Aston Villa, and it will surely not be long before they have put an end to the Enzo Fernández saga.
Fernández was the most notable absentee as Chelsea eased into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Luton. There is a desire to move on from the circus. Manchester City are poised to bid for Fernández and, with the noise around the midfielder becoming a distraction, Alonso and the club decided to leave out Chelsea’s supposed vice-captain.
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Alonso explained that he had to think about the team. Chelsea’s manager was diplomatic. Alonso said that Fernández has been training well. He offered political answers but did not douse the sense that Fernández has played his last game for Chelsea, who host Leeds in the next round.
It is for the best. Fernández has been looking for a way out since March and Chelsea need committed players. Alonso wants to improve the squad’s culture and the attitude against Luton was good. Danny Welbeck, still going strong at 35, can be a standard bearer after joining from Brighton. The striker is not here to make up the numbers and played a key role in this win, grabbing his first goal since joining when he opened the scoring early in the second half.
“Danny was the patient player,” Alonso said of Welbeck breaking Luton’s resistance by leaping to head home a fine cross from Malo Gusto. “He did what he does best: score and to be in the right place.”
Welbeck will provide competition for João Pedro in attack this season. He also adds a vital dash of experience to a young squad. Chelsea can cope without Fernández, even though they will need to replace him if he goes to City.
The early vibes under Alonso are encouraging. He has been decisive with the goalkeeping position, as exemplified by his ruthless response to Robert Sánchez’s skittish display against Fulham. There is nothing left to see with Sánchez. He is not good enough and Chelsea had to be opportunistic when offered the chance to sign Martínez. Mike Penders made his debut in goal on Thursday night. The 21-year-old Belgian is highly rated but will be behind Martínez in the pecking order.
Alonso is trying to win now. Although Chelsea have no European football this season it was surprising that they named such a strong side three days after their helter-skelter win over Fulham in the Premier League. Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer were part of an exciting attack and were supported by a thrilling display from Estêvão Willian on the right.
Third in League One, Luton battled to stay in contention during a first half in which the shot count was 17-3 in Chelsea’s favour. Rogers crashed an effort against the bar and Jack Wilshere’s side were defiant in defence. Josh Keeley made excellent saves from Palmer and Reece James, starting in midfield for the second time in three days despite his injury problems.
Chelsea stayed patient. Valentin Barco, Jude Bellingham’s Atlanta irritant, had an impressive debut next to James. Chelsea, who were still missing Moisés Caicedo, upped the pace early in the second half. Gusto overlapped and crossed. Welbeck was wily and deadly, creeping off his marker and heading home.
The second goal arrived late. Barco was involved and Palmer found Estêvão, whose shot went in off Hakeem Odoffin for an own goal.
Fernández was the most notable absentee as Chelsea eased into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Luton. There is a desire to move on from the circus. Manchester City are poised to bid for Fernández and, with the noise around the midfielder becoming a distraction, Alonso and the club decided to leave out Chelsea’s supposed vice-captain.
This report is published with credit to The Guardian. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on The Guardian →
Source: The Guardian · Jacob Steinberg at Stamford Bridge. Published 27 Aug 2026, 08:40 pm.
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