With Chelsea facing Luton Town for their 2026-27 Carabao Cup debut, questions rose over the absence of Enzo Fernandez from the squad list.
Chelsea open their 2026-27 Carabao Cup campaign on Thursday, August 27, hosting third-tier side Luton Town at Stamford Bridge in the second round of the competition. With manager Xabi Alonso rotating his squad for the fixture, questions arose after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was omitted from the team sheet entirely.
According to reporting from Ciaran Wiseman and Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT, Fernandez was left out of Chelsea’s squad due to advanced transfer negotiations with Manchester City. The outlet reports that the Argentine international is finalizing terms on a move to the Etihad Stadium, prompting his absence against Luton Town.
Despite standing as one of the club’s marquee talents, Fernandez recently saw his status in the squad shift. During Monday’s Premier League opener against Fulham, the midfielder was relegated to the substitute bench before entering in the 65th minute to audible frustration from portions of the traveling Blues support.
Now, Chelsea leadership, manager Xabi Alonso, and Fernandez have mutually moved toward an impending exit. With discussions ongoing for Manchester City to finalize a potential record-breaking transfer fee, his exclusion aims to accelerate negotiations ahead of the September 1 Premier League transfer deadline.
Confirmed lineups for Chelsea and Luton Town
Chelsea’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Mike Penders; Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Josep Chavarria; Valentin Barco, Reece James; Estevao, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers; Danny Welbeck.Head coach: Xabi Alonso.
Luton Town’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Josh Keeley; Harrison Ashby, Hakeem Odofin, George Johnston, Joe Johnson; Benedict Benagr, Liam Walsh; Emilio Lawrence, Kasey Palmer, Gideon Kodua; Callum Marshall.Head coach: Jack Wilshere.
*Developing story…