adminChelsea are due to face Leeds United in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge tonight, but kick-off has been delayed.
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup meeting with Leeds United has been moved back by 15 minutes. The match at Stamford Bridge was initially scheduled for 8pm but will now get underway at 8.15pm.
The delay comes after a fatality occurred on the Underground close to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea confirmed the change in a statement, saying: “There will be a 15 minute delay to kick-off for our Carabao Cup third-round tie with Leeds United tonight. The match will now begin at 20:15 BST.”
This is the third meeting between Chelsea and Leeds in cup competitions across the last four seasons. Chelsea prevailed in the FA Cup fifth round in 2024 before also securing victory in the semi-finals in April. Leeds’ most recent win at Stamford Bridge came in December 1999, when they recorded a 2-0 Premier League triumph.
Xabi Alonso has opted to make nine alterations to his starting XI for tonight’s encounter. Speaking before the match, the Spaniard said: “We have an intense first week of the calendar, few games, and all of them they are ready.
“We need them to feel that they are an important part of the team and that anyone can play, and they have to be ready, so it’s good from the start, and as well that players from the bench they can have a good impact as well.
We need a top team performance today against a very intense team as Leeds as they demand a lot, and hopefully we will have a good game.”
Reggie Watson is set to make his professional debut at just 16 years old, taking charge of the midfield. Alonso also outlined the qualities that have impressed him about the teenager since his arrival at the club.
He said: “He’s one of those players that all the coaches like: responsible, very reliable, focused on the game.
“You see that he has a football background from family, so it’s a great day for him. I mentioned in the team talk that we have all been Reggie Watson one day, and hopefully he will enjoy it.
“My advice to him is that he deserves to be there because of what he has shown, because of his football, because of his mentality during pre-season when he did really well.
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