Chelsea face early fixture headache after Carabao Cup draw

Chelsea will open their 2026/27 campaign by playing three matches in the space of seven days after the Carabao Cup draw left them facing an early-season fixture headache.With no European football to consider, Alonso had seemed set for a fairly pedestrian start to life in west London, but Monday night’s Carabao Cup draw has thrown a spanner in the works.The Blues drew Luton Town at home, and must face them during the week commencing August 24, with Thursday the 27th seeming the most likely date.That leaves Alonso facing a brutal first week of the season, with three matches to be played in the space of seven days.Tough start: Xabi AlonsoGettyChelsea will have just two days off between each of their first three matches. There will be some respite following the Brighton match, though, with Che