There’s probably no team (at least in a meaningless game) that gets more pop than a first round league cup team.
The managers can change it all around, and there’s also a strong need to rotate as the schedule ramps up and the Champions League kicks in.
It always means a slew of debuts and youngsters thrown in, and tonight’s game is no exception. There are youngsters like Trevoh Chalobah and Xavier Mbuyamba in the mix, there are returns for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi, a first start since the Champions League final for Ben Chilwell.
Even Malang Sarr – who we fully expected to be on loan at a mid table Bundesliga team by now, will get a chance to shine.
Don’t forget Saul, who gets a chance to do-over the shoddy 45 minute debut he made against this team two weeks ago.
You can see a selection of the reaction in the Tweets embedded here:
4 at the back? Or CHO at wingback?! WHICH IS IT https://t.co/E9xQ21MMtO
— Andres (@BOP_Andres) September 22, 2021
10 changes, a Chelsea debut for Malang Sarr, and Xavier Mbuyamba on the bench. 👀
Thoughts on the lineup, Blues? https://t.co/En2T4UsufD
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) September 22, 2021
Trev. 👊 pic.twitter.com/AJzAQz56Co
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 22, 2021
Debut for this man this evening! 👌 pic.twitter.com/TcK9V9Zggx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 22, 2021
Two random thoughts:
1. Not gonna assume Chelsea’s formation until the game starts.
2. Very cool to see Mbuyamba on the bench.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) September 22, 2021
Malang Sarr has found a big silver lining here in his loan deal to Greuther Furth collapsing by making his first start for Chelsea. #CFC #CHEAVL #CarabaoCup
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 22, 2021
Guess Ruben & Ziyech might be the two 10s behind Werner. 3-4-2-1?
— Nouman (@nomifooty) September 22, 2021
The Captain & The CHOsen One
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) September 22, 2021
𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QIayHHKhB0
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) September 22, 2021
Tonight is Ben Chilwell’s first start since the Champions League final…
Welcome back, Chilly. 💙 pic.twitter.com/QXHshjCbgi
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) September 22, 2021
good to go blues