Chelsea treading carefully in cup

Simon Johnson
7 Sep 2009

Chelsea are planning to field several reserves in this season's Carling Cup as they try to cope with FIFA's transfer ban.

The club are appealing the decision to stop them buying players until 2011 after being found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens. Chelsea have played their strongest team in the competition in the past but are determined to fast-track some younger talent during the ban.

They face QPR at home in the Third Round on 23 September and first team coach Ray Wilkins said: "The Carling Cup is big for us, but I think this year, for one of the first times, we will use some of the younger players in the club. Hopefully we will get a full house against QPR and if some of the young players can force their way in, then all well and good."