Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As Chelsea strengthened their squad with a string of attacking signings in the summer, Tyrique George was deemed surplus to requirements.

Having held talks with RB Leipzig earlier in the window, he looked to be heading to Fulham until the Whites opted to sign wingers Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze instead, and Harry Wilson's own move to Leeds collapsed.

Yet, that could be a blessing in disguise as George made his first start and fourth appearance of the season - again acting as deputy to only fit striker Joao Pedro.

Enzo Maresca picked the teenager at the expense of a natural striker Marc Guiu in the Premier League. That is despite the Spaniard's deadline day recall from his loan spell at Sunderland to replace the injured Liam Delap, while Nicolas Jackson left for Bayern Munich.

Guiu did not make the bench in Tuesday's third-round tie despite being eligible to play due to a recent change in EFL rules regarding cup-tied players.

Maresca, though, said he did not want to risk playing Guiu because he "felt something" in training on Monday.

And George showed what he could do with a clinical finish and poise to set up Facundo Buonanotte, who also joined on deadline day on loan from Brighton.

Having been handed a second chance and impressed while Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens were below par, more displays like this will provide Maresca with a welcome option in attack.

More analysis from the Carabao Cup win here

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the Carabao Cup victory at Lincoln: "We knew that it was a very tricky game because they are the most direct team in League One, so you have to defend crosses, free kicks and throw-ins into the box. We struggled a little bit in the first half but second half we were much better and we won the game.

"It was not an easy game. I told them [it would not be]. That is why I was so annoyed in the first half, because we know that we needed to do better. Overall, they did well."

On Marc Guiu's absence from the squad: "The reason why is because yesterday in the game preparation he felt something, nothing important. But with Liam Delap already out, we did not want to take a risk. So we gave Ty [George] and Jamie [Gittens] a chance."

Blues defender Malo Gusto also speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a tough game. We knew already before we came here that they play a lot with set-pieces and try to bully.

"The first half was very complicated for us to get into the game but the second half was much better because we came back with more energy and more desire. We kept fighting on the pitch in the second half and I think that's why we won. Very happy to get into the next round."

On Maresca's half-time message: "It was more about fight. They are taller than us but we have to fight. If they are taller, then we have to show that we want it more, and that's what we did better in the second half."

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

During Monday's pre-match press conference, Enzo Maresca said he was "very worried" about facing Lincoln in the EFL Cup third round, because against lower-league opposition "you can slip very easily".

He was right to be worried.

After a physically and emotionally draining week that saw Chelsea follow up a 2-2 league draw against Brentford with defeats to Bayern Munich and Manchester United, a side packed with expensive talents were largely outclassed in Lincolnshire despite winning 2-1.

Maresca made eight changes to his starting XI and, were he not already without seven first-team regulars through injury and looking to end a three-game winless run, he would probably have made more.

Yet those who came in both struggled to cope with Lincoln's directness or have much impact of their own, forcing the Italian to turn to those who probably could have done with a night off.

Pedro Neto, Estevao and Marc Cucurella were introduced once Chelsea had established a fragile lead through Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte, and could by no means cruise to victory without exerting themselves.

Such was the threat Lincoln carried all night, Maresca dared not withdraw either of his centre-back pairing Chalobah and Fofana, both of whom had played practically every minute of their previous three games.

Winger Alejandro Garnacho was handed a first start, but belied his £40m price tag with a disappointing first-half showing, and spent largely on the ground as the home fans jeered at Sincil Bank.

Lincoln showed exactly why they are flying high in League One with a fearless display, but missed out on the chance of a famous shock - a first win over Chelsea since an FA Cup tie in 1907 - with slack defending during a five-minute spell at the start of the second half.

Boss Skubala - the former head coach of the England futsal team and one-time Leeds United interim manager - will take heart at how his side's energetic high-pressing approach and threat in the air could unsettle top-flight opposition.

Enzo Maresca makes eight changes to his Chelsea side following that 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

Robert Sanchez and Cole Palmer are enforced absences through suspension and injury respectively, while the likes of Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo are rested from the start.

There's no rest for centre-back pairing Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, who Maresca said would have to play because of injuries to others.

Alejandro Garnacho and Andrey Santos make their first starts for the club, while Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens are handed opportunities to prove they should be regular starters.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Andrey Santos, Enzo (c), Garnacho, Buonanotte, Gittens, George.

Subs: Slonina, James, Cucurella, Caicedo, Harrison, Walsh, Neto, Estevao, Mheuka.

Lincoln City, currently third in League One, make five changes after their 3-1 win against Luton on Saturday.

Top scorer James Collins starts on the bench.

Lincoln City XI: Jeacock, Hamer, Bradley, Montsma, Darikwa, Varfolomieiev, Towler, McGrandles, Draper, House, Street.

There are eight games in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday - six involving Premier League sides - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Barnsley v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Cardiff City

• Fulham v Cambridge United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Lincoln City v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton

• Liverpool v Southampton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Lincoln v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Southampton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Last season's return to European football after a year away from it was supposed to be useful preparation for this totally rebuilt Chelsea squad. In fact, it looks like it has had the opposite effect.

The fact it was only the Conference League in midweek meant Enzo Maresca was able to rotate his team fully, regularly changing 11 players for a game. It seems like that lulled everyone involved into a false sense of security about how ready this squad was for a Champions League return.

You cannot weaken your team to take on Bayern Munich or Barcelona. In fact, most of these games will require the first team. Last week, Maresca tried to rotate against Brentford and ended up caught between two stools.

He brought on the big guns at half-time and drew anyway.

The first team then played against Bayern in midweek and looked predictably knackered from about the 50th minute. Some 72 hours later, an almost identical line-up was being wheeled out at Manchester United.

The less said about the confusing subs in that game, the better.

The manager and his squad still have time to figure these things out, and the depth will improve as injured players return.

But the decisions to replace the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke with less experienced players who are not ready to be Champions League starters already looks short sighted.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he is unable to rest key defenders for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Lincoln City.

Maresca is expected to ring the changes when facing League One opposition in the third round on Tuesday.

However, when asked about whether centre-back pairing Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo will be given a rest, having played almost every minute in three consecutive matches, Maresca said: "I would love to rest both of them because they deserve to rest.

"The problem is that we also have Wes Fofana playing after a long time. So if we rest Tosin, if we rest Trev, and if we rest Wes, probably I need to play some part of the game.

"We don't have defenders so some of them need to play."

Chelsea will also be without goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after his fourth-minute sending off in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.

Sanchez is expected to be replaced by understudy Filip Jorgensen.

Maresca added: "Filip is going to help us in the moment.

"[I told Jorgensen] that he was going to play domestic cup games, he was going to play Premier League games and he was going to play Champions League games. It was a very easy conversation."

Chelsea have seven players either out or doubtful for the game, including talisman Cole Palmer and long-term injured defender Levi Colwill.

Chelsea are monitoring Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, with Leeds United, Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon also interested in the versatile 20-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

You have been sending in your questions via our 'Ask about Chelsea' form.

This week, our Blues reporter Nizaar Kinsella takes a look at the structure of the club and the potential of exciting talent Shim Mheuka.

Who actually makes the final decisions at Chelsea?

There are a lot of people who make decisions at Chelsea but I would argue that Behdad Eghbali is currently the most influential figure within the ownership.

Chairman Todd Boehly also has some influence and so does Jose E. Feliciano, who is a co-founder member of majority owner Clearlake Capital with Eghbali.

However, on a day-to-day basis co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart arguably have the most influence in football.

The academy and women's team have their own leadership, while chief operating officer and president Jason Gannon leads on the business-side of the club and has ownership over the all-important stadium project.

In short, that's the list of key influencers at Stamford Bridge - as of September 2025.

What are your thoughts on Shim Mheuka and do the club see a pathway for him?

Shim Mheuka is arguably the top talent in Chelsea's more visible age group from the under-18s upwards.

The striker, 17, captained Chelsea and scored in the 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the Uefa Youth League last week and has six goals in five games this season.

Mheuka has already played five senior games for Chelsea and it would shock me if he were not to be playing regular senior men's football within a year.

In short, anyone watching him can only be impressed and it would be good to see him add to his senior appearances, especially with Chelsea opting against signing a striker to replace the injured Liam Delap.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was unable to give much clarity on star forward Cole Palmer's ongoing injury issues when he spoke to the media on Monday.

The club is managing them on a "day-to-day" basis, according to Maresca, but when you have to take off Palmer at Old Trafford while a goal down - after just 21 minutes - then it is becoming a problem.

The Blues rank second in the Premier League's injury table, with seven out on either a short-term or long-term basis.

You could sense from the Italian's news conference that there is broader concern about injuries, not only on the seven unavailable, but also how it impacts those who are playing.

Maresca said: "It is a situation we need to manage because if we have Moi [Caicedo] with a small problem and, for instance, Romeo [Lavia] is fit, we can decide - or if Dario Essugo was fit, we can decide to give Moi some rest.

"But, in this moment, Dario is injured and Romeo is injured. We are in a new situation for us because of the Club World Cup, so we don't know how this season will be in terms of injury.

"I don't think the amount of injuries we have is random. We need to try to learn and manage the situation."

Maresca is likely to give some Chelsea academy players a chance against League One Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

Defender Benoit Badiashile and midfielder Lavia are not quite ready to return.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Lincoln City at LNER Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Cole Palmer is the only injury concern, with Maresca adding they need to take it day by day "to assess him a little bit".

• Maresca says "the medical staff didn't mention surgery" when they briefed him on Palmer's groin injury earlier on Monday.

• Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia trained on Sunday, which Maresca described as "good news" before adding that they "are not back yet".

• He said Saturday's defeat at Manchester United "was dictated from the red card" and "it is difficult for any club in the world" to turn the game around when you lose a man after four minutes.

• On whether he sees Chelsea as title contenders this season: "We improved a lot last season. If you see the table in the last year, we closed the gap. We will try to continue to improve. This is our main focus for this season."

• He said he does not think the volume of injuries are "random" and, after limited downtime because of the Club World Cup, it is a situation they "need to manage".

• On League One opponents Lincoln: "These are the games that worry me the most because you can slip very easily. I am very worried about that."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Lincoln v Chelsea at 19:45 on Tuesday

Follow the rest of the day's football news

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Man Utd and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

United fans

Rateesh: Manchester United can't catch a break from all these criticisms - win or lose. Today, the players worked hard and fought for the team until the very end. No one seems to care about it or even mention it.

Ron: Ruben Amorim is showing dedication to the monumental task of turning Man Utd in the right direction while in the unforgiving spotlight of the Premier League. Casemiro very naive for such an experienced player.

Steve; Only a week ago, I was Amorim out but after this win and seeing we are three points off second - what a difference a result makes. This doesn't paper over the fact that we still made silly mistakes but no-one can question the commitment to the cause of the players and that surely can only produce more positive results in the next games. Matthijs de Ligt by the way is a monster of a player and very underrated. Excellent again.

Andrew: The conditions made this match a bit of a farce. It wasn't helped by some questionable refereeing either. That aside, what about United's performance? Yet again, they blew hot and cold. The system clearly doesn't work and this match with early dismissals and enforced changes didn't give any indication of progress. Defensively they did OK but the manager consistently changes the back four and the midfield is too easy to play through. This team, under this manager and with this system, is going nowhere. If you want a fairer comparison, then look at Tottenham under Thomas Frank.

Chelsea fans

David: Another costly error from Robert Sanchez and then very poor substitutions by Enzo Maresca. If he knew Cole Palmer was not fully fit why not take him off first at least we would have had an attack. Lincoln City must fancy their chances.

Chris: If you can't beat a hapless team like Man Utd, you know you are in big trouble. Once again, Sanchez left us in the lurch and then Maresca sacrifices probably our most creative player in Estevao Willian because of the red card! The whole defence were a shambles for the first 20 minutes and didn't get much better. Reece James is a shadow of the player he used to be and all in all Chelsea are in a bad place at present with a manager that doesn't seem to have a clue when the chips are down!

Timo: Bizarre decisions everywhere. A goalkeeper problem compounded by a manager's panicky reaction. The lack of authority and maturity was laid bare. Too much method - insufficient savvy.

Nevlar: Garbage. Pedestrian and lacking in any creativity except with a touch of desperation before the end. United there for the taking and we had no clue.

France and AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, 30, could be on Chelsea's transfer agenda again in the next window following 27-year-old Spaniard Robert Sanchez's performance against Manchester United. He is free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January as his current deal expires next summer, and was wanted by the Blues in the summer. (Express), external

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing 28-year-old Juventus and Brazil defender Gleison Bremer. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport