Xabi Alonso says tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United will be an opportunity for several members of his squad to make an impact after limited minutes thus far, with the Blues manager insisting that every player must be made to feel important throughout this season.
The Spaniard rotated his team successfully as the Blues defeated Luton Town 2-0 in the previous round of the League Cup, with Danny Welbeck rewarding his manager by netting the opening goal on his Chelsea debut.
As our Carabao Cup campaign continues with a visit from old rivals Leeds in the third round this evening, Alonso again reiterated the need to share the minutes around his squad, knowing every one of his players will have an important part to play before the season is over.
‘We want to have the squad, as I said before, with as many players as possible involved and feeling that they have an important role,’ he said.
‘For sure you have the cups and we have the Carabao Cup. For that, we did something: we shared some minutes in the first game against Luton.
‘There will be a chance as well for other players that haven't played that much [against Leeds]. We don't have Europe, so the cups are important for us.’
Alonso also suggested some of the promising young talents coming through the Chelsea Academy at Cobham could also be involved against the Whites this evening.
‘I've said from the first day that there are some very good Academy players that have been with us in pre-season, have been training with us, and some of them will be in the squad.’
However, as always it is a balancing act, between keeping everyone fresh and sharp while ensuring we remain competitive across all fronts.
That was a message Alonso reinforced when he was reminded of Chelsea’s history in the League Cup, including Jose Mourinho famously using success in this competition as the springboard for further silverware during his first spell at the Bridge.
‘We haven't used it as an example, but I remember it very well because I was on the other side,’ responded Alonso, who was in his first season with Liverpool when they lost the 2005 final to Chelsea.
‘But there is a chance. Once there is a chance, you want to fight for it, knowing where we come from, where we go to, and that this is a squad, and with only 12 or 13 players there is no chance to compete in every competition. This is the dynamic that we want for the future.’