Alonso praises Chelsea debutants after Carabao Cup victory

Xabi Alonso praised the impact of Valentin Barco, Mike Penders and Danny Welbeck after all three players helped Chelsea begin their Carabao Cup campaign with victory.

The trio had been left out of Chelsea’s starting line-up for Monday’s Premier League opener against Fulham, but each was given the chance to impress from the beginning against Luton.

Welbeck made the most decisive contribution, opening the scoring with a composed header from Malo Gusto’s cross. Barco was then involved in Chelsea’s second goal after winning possession in midfield and linking up with Cole Palmer.

Palmer supplied the opening for Estevao Willian, whose effort resulted in an own goal by Hakeem Odoffin.

Penders had less to do than his outfield team-mates, but the goalkeeper completed his first competitive appearance for Chelsea with a clean sheet.

Alonso was particularly pleased with the way Welbeck influenced the match, although he said the occasion would be memorable for all three players.

“For them it’s a special day that they will remember,” Alonso said.

“Mike will be happy because for a goalkeeper, to make his debut and keep a clean sheet feels good.

“Valentin had an impressive performance. Very dynamic, good with the ball, very aware of what was going on in the midfield.

“Danny was the patient player. He was the one who had to be in the box waiting for one good cross to come.

“Then he scored the first goal, which was important. A great cross from Malo and he did what he does best: to be in the right place and score.”

Palmer also completed the full 90 minutes and ended the game as Chelsea captain after Reece James was substituted.

The England international was one of the standout performers and was able to remain on the pitch because of the fitness levels he built up during pre-season, according to Alonso.

“Cole has had a great pre-season and is well prepared, so he’s one of the players who can take the 90 minutes,” he said.

“We had an idea, depending on the context of the game, but Cole has a very good fitness level in terms of his stamina and now he needs to recover well on Sunday.”

Chelsea’s attention now returns to the Premier League, with Brighton due to visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The match will give Alonso’s side an opportunity to build on their opening league fixture against Fulham while maintaining the momentum generated by their Carabao Cup success.

Welbeck’s goal was his first major contribution since being handed a starting opportunity after missing the Premier League opener, while Barco and Penders also took advantage of their chance to make an impression.

For Penders, the clean sheet provided an especially positive start to his competitive Chelsea career. Barco’s involvement in the build-up to the second goal and Welbeck’s movement in the area were also singled out by Alonso as evidence of the value of the players brought into the starting line-up.