Chelsea secured a solid 2-0 victory over Luton Town, ensuring passage to the third round of the League Cup. In the aftermath, manager Xabi Alonso reflected on the team's performance, praised the debutants, and provided clarity on Enzo Fernandez's absence from the squad.
Alonso opted for a strong lineup. How did you assess the team's performance?
Of course, we always want to field a competitive side. We take every match seriously. At this point in the season, many processes are just starting to unfold. I'm pleased that a few players made their first appearances for the club.
It was also special for me to have my first official match at this stadium. It wasn’t straightforward, and credit to Luton, they posed us challenges. However, we played confidently and patiently, knowing that our moment would come. Danny seized it excellently.
What happened between yesterday's press conference and today's match that led to Enzo Fernandez not being included?
We assess the situation both individually and from a team perspective: what’s best for the team today and what’s best for the other players who needed a chance to play. Based on that, we made our decision.
Reports from Argentina suggest that Enzo requested not to be included. Can you comment on that?
No. This was a decision made by myself and the club.
How do you assess today's debutants?
For them, it’s a special day they will remember. Mike Penders must be pleased, as it’s always nice for a goalkeeper to debut with a clean sheet.
Valentin Barco had an impressive game. He was very dynamic, handled the ball well, and understood what was happening in the midfield.
Danny Welbeck needed to show patience. He had to be in the box, waiting for one good delivery. We were close in the first half but couldn’t get it right. Then he scored the all-important first goal from a brilliant cross by Malo Gusto. Danny did what he does best: scored and ended up in the right place.
Cole Palmer played the full 90 minutes. Why did you keep him on the pitch until the end?
Cole had an excellent pre-season and is in great shape. He’s one of those players capable of lasting the full 90 minutes.
We had a specific plan depending on how the match unfolded, but Cole has very good fitness levels and stamina. He now needs to recover well for Sunday.
Are you pleased with Palmer and Morgan Rogers?
Yes. Overall, the team put in a serious performance. We need to learn how to break down a low block. Playing against a 5-4-1 setup is difficult, regardless of the opponent's level. We need to take lessons from today’s game because we will encounter similar situations again.
Was Fernandez left out due to the ongoing talks with other clubs regarding his transfer?
No. The decision was solely based on today's match. We had other players who required game time, so we made that choice.
When did you make that decision?
Yesterday.
After the press conference?
In the afternoon.
Did you speak to Enzo and inform him of this?
This was a decision I made.
How did Enzo react?
He’s a good professional. He trains well, and I have nothing negative to say about him. This was just a decision we needed to make based on today’s match. We’ll see what happens for Sunday.
Can you comment on the links between Chelsea and Emiliano Martinez?
Not really. I prefer to talk about players who are in my squad and focus on them. It would be disrespectful to discuss players from other clubs.
How do you assess Penders' debut? And if Martinez arrives, what will be the club's plan regarding Mike?
As for Mike, he will certainly have more matches where he will face increased activity. But even today, there were moments when he was under pressure. He remains calm and confident in his play.
He didn’t have to make many saves, but he’s an excellent player for both the present and the future. We need to take it step by step. He's playing in the cup now, and we’ll see from there.
Will you need to speak to Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders given the ongoing discussions about Martinez? And do you see Enzo available for the match on Sunday?
The match has just ended. Of course, part of my mind was on Luton while another part was already on Brighton. Now we switch focus, and from tomorrow, we begin preparations for Brighton.
No one picked up any injuries today. Some players who spent more time on the pitch will need to recover. We need fresh legs and fresh minds, as Sunday promises to be a serious match.
Why does Chelsea need another goalkeeper now, after the club maintained all summer that they were content with this position? Is this related to Sanchez's performance against Fulham?
We are happy with the squad we have. But I’ve always said we need to monitor the situation. The transfer window is still open, and we can make decisions during this period. We’ll see what happens.
