Xabi Alonso provides early Chelsea team update ahead of Luton clash
By Joel Masibo, August 26, 2026Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has revealed that Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra will not be available for Thursday’s, August 27, 2026 Carabao Cup meeting with Luton Town.
Both players were unavailable for Chelsea’s opening-day Premier League fixture against Fulham on Monday, August 24, 2026, which the Blues won 3-2. Alonso has now confirmed that neither will feature against Luton, although Caicedo has a chance of returning when Chelsea face his former club Brighton at the weekend.
The Spanish manager also suggested that goalkeeper Mike Penders could be considered for the cup encounter, while Enzo Fernandez is expected to be included in the matchday squad.
Speaking about Caicedo and Palestra on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Alonso said: ‘Not for tomorrow, both won’t make it [against Luton],’ Alonso said of Caicedo and Palestra. ‘Let’s see, hopefully Moi could make it for the weekend, but we need to check a little bit more with Marco.
The Chelsea boss added that the rest of the players who trained on Monday are in good condition, including Cole Palmer.
‘Otherwise everyone from Monday is okay, Cole [Palmer] is absolutely fine.
Penders could also be handed an opportunity to impress, although Alonso stopped short of confirming whether the young goalkeeper would start.
‘Penders is part of the squad, so he has an opportunity. We will decide and then I am giving the team tomorrow to the players, so I prefer to respect that they know first.
Fernandez, meanwhile, is on course to return to action after continuing to train well.
‘Enzo, yes we expect him to be involved. He is training really well, he’s a good professional, and he will be involved.’
Chelsea will therefore head into the Luton fixture without Caicedo and Palestra, while Alonso will assess the squad before deciding on his starting XI for the Carabao Cup tie.
Ahead of the second round tie, the Spanish manager was asked if he is likely to rotate his starting XI for this knockout game. It comes hot on the heels of Monday’s 3-2 win at Fulham in our opening Premier League fixture of the season, with the league visit of Brighton & Hove Albion fast approaching on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Alonso insisted he will not be taking Chelsea’s Carabao Cup opponents lightly, ensuring that any rotation retains the right balance and competitiveness in the Chelsea line-up, as he plots the team’s progress across three domestic fronts this season.