Chelsea lineup vs. Luton: Predicted XI for EFL Cup second-round tie

Chelsea are set to be without at least four players for Thursday’s EFL Cup second-round clash with Luton Town at Stamford Bridge.

Wesley Fofana will serve the second of his two-game suspension following his red card in the final match of the 2025-26 campaign against Sunderland, while summer signing Jordan Henderson is still recovering from a wrist injury sustained at the 2026 World Cup.

Manager Xabi Alonso has also confirmed that Moises Caicedo and new recruit Marco Palestra remain sidelined after the pair picked up injuries in training prior to Chelsea’s 3-2 Premier League win at Fulham on Monday.

However, new forwards Emmanuel Emegha and Danny Welbeck are both fit to make their debuts for the club; the latter is one of five Chelsea players who could realistically make their full debut along with goalkeeper Mike Penders, left-back Pep Chavarria, midfielder Valentin Barco and winger Geovany Quenda.

Manchester City-linked midfielder Enzo Fernandez is in line to feature despite speculation surrounding his future, but it remains to be seen whether he will be handed a start or begin as a substitute against Luton.

Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro all starred in the Blues’ win at Fulham, but Alonso is expected to rotate his side and could rest the trio of attackers, with Quenda, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto all set to battle for a start alongside Welbeck.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Hato; Gusto, Lavia, Barco, Chavarria; Neto, Estevao; Welbeck