Why Chelsea & Xabi Alonso Must Treat The Carabao Cup Seriously This Season | OneFootball

Previewing Chelsea's Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United.

Following Chelsea’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Premier League title holders and current league leaders Arsenal, the Blues will be looking to bounce back at the earliest opportunity.

Attention quickly switches to the Carabao Cup, as Chelsea host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge for a place in the fourth round on Wednesday night.

Chelsea booked their place in the third round by beating League One side Luton Town 2-0 on August 27. The Blues, managed by newly appointed Xabi Alonso, enter the competition with the Carabao Cup as a much higher priority for a variety of reasons.

The fixture also carries the weight of a historic rivalry. Chelsea and Leeds have shared several memorable encounters, most notably their 1970 FA Cup final meeting, which Chelsea won after a replay. The rivalry and tension between the two sets of supporters make this a game neither side will want to lose.

Beyond the rivalry, those at Stamford Bridge should hold the competition in high regard. With Chelsea not competing in Europe this season, there is little reason to deprioritise the League Cup.

With no domestic trophy since the 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup final under Antonio Conte, the pressure is beginning to grow for the Blues. Chelsea have reached the League Cup final in 2019, 2022 and 2024 in recent years, losing all three in heartbreaking fashion.

In 2019, the Blues were taken to penalties by Manchester City, with the final perhaps best remembered for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to come off when Maurizio Sarri attempted to substitute him in one of football’s most bizarre moments.

In 2022, Kepa was once again the centre of attention as Thomas Tuchel brought the goalkeeper on for the penalty shootout in place of Edouard Mendy. Kepa failed to save any of Liverpool's 11 penalties before skying his own effort over the crossbar, as Chelsea lost the shootout 11-10.

More heartache awaited in 2024 as Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea lost in extra time to an injury-hit Liverpool side.

Attention now turns to 2026-27. Alonso set the tone in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Leeds tie, warning those who may think the League Cup is a lower priority.

He told reporters: “We try to take all the games, all the cups very seriously and we will, where we are, have the best possible team.”

With the new boss firing a warning, it looks like the Blues will take any fixture that comes their way with the utmost seriousness. Alonso will have to make do without Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra.