Alonso is expected to welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge for a week-nine Premier League fixture on Saturday.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the Carabao Cup is the “least important” trophy for the London club this season after his team was ousted from the competition by Liverpool.
The Spanish tactician made this known on Wednesday night while speaking after the Blues were dumped out in the fourth round.
Morgan Rogers had opened the scoring from the spot at Anfield in the 40th minute, but the hosts restored parity when Cody Gakpo converted another spot-kick three minutes later.
The game remained 1–1 and went to a penalty shoot-out, where Liverpool triumphed 6–5 to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the tie, Alonso said: “This is the least important competition for us.”
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The Spaniard then added: “The Premier League is the main focus.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United will be without striker Benjamin Šeško when they face Chelsea in an early kick-off in the English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who has not played for the Red Devils since their defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on 16 September, is expected to be out until at least January with a suspected shin injury.
According to BBC Sport, Šeško has since undergone multiple tests to try to get to the bottom of the problem, with manager Michael Carrick frequently asking when he will be fit to return.
It is believed that the issue is not shin splints but an impact injury to the shin, which differs from the initial diagnosis.
With the latest diagnosis, Šeško has now been ruled out until at least January with a recurring shin injury.
