Chelsea have handed 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Watson his senior debut in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round clash against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.
Manager Xabi Alonso made nine changes to the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, with Watson named in the starting XI for the 8pm kick-off.
Watson, son of former Wigan Athletic captain Ben Watson, caught the attention of the Chelsea coaching staff during pre-season and has now been rewarded with his first competitive appearance for the senior team.
Mike Penders replaces first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Levi Colwill returns to the defence. Valentin Barco is also handed his first start for the club, with Pep Chavarría coming into the lineup.
In attack, Estêvão Willian and Jamie Gittens start alongside Danny Welbeck, who leads the Chelsea frontline.
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro have been rested and will begin the match on the bench, alongside Reece James, Jorrel Hato and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea Starting XI
Mike Penders; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Malo Gusto, Reggie Watson, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarría; Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens; Danny Welbeck.
Substitutes: Emiliano Martinez, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Reece James, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Geovany Quenda, Morgan Rogers, João Pedro.
Leeds have also made significant changes to their lineup, making eight alterations from the team that drew 1-1 with Brighton.
New signings Michael Zetterer and Melvin Bard are both handed their Leeds debuts.
Leeds Starting XI
Michael Zetterer; Melvin Bard, James Justin, Tarik Muharemović, Jaka Bijol; Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff; Dan James, Josh Wilson, Brenden Aaronson; Lukas Nmecha.
Substitutes: James Trafford, Junior Firpo, Albert Gudmundsson, Maxence Lacroix, Ao Tanaka, Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, Largie Ramazani, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Chelsea remain without Moisés Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha. Alonso had previously confirmed that Caicedo and Palestra were not yet ready to return and would not be rushed back into action.
The Blues will be hoping to respond to their first competitive defeat under Alonso and secure a place in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Leeds, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign while progressing in the competition despite making eight changes.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm at Stamford Bridge.
