Xabi Alonso has dropped a Chelsea player from the first team. The ban extends to the Carabao Cup game against Leeds.
Chelsea also rejected a midfielder. They might have added another option in the middle. They have issues in that area but still said no. The club had the chance to add midfield cover. The area still looks thin for the club. The club passed on that move.
The starting lineup for Chelsea vs Leeds was announced before the kickoff delay. The delay delayed the start. The match started 15 minutes late. The game eventually started after the wait. Chelsea claimed a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on August 15, 2026.