Enzo Maresca may have made 11 changes for Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup clash against League Two side Barrow, but it was far from a second-string squad.
The team that took to the Stamford Bridge pitch was worth a staggering £415.8 million, and that superiority shone through in a 5-0 demolition, with Christopher Nkunku netting a hat-trick.
Nkunku, who joined Chelsea for £52 million, headlined an attack also featuring £89 million Mykhailo Mudryk, £54 million Pedro Neto, and £46.3 million Joao Felix.
Even the substitutes reflected Chelsea’s financial muscle, with £50 million Ben Chilwell making his first appearance of the season after a failed summer transfer attempt.
Barrow’s traveling fans, who endured a 600-mile round trip, never stopped singing despite their team’s inevitable defeat.
Nkunku’s hat-trick led the rout, with Felix’s free-kick resulting in an own goal by Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman, and Neto tapping in Chelsea’s fourth.
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup journey last season ended in a loss to Liverpool, with pundit Gary Neville branding them the “billion-pound bottle jobs.” While tougher competition than Barrow lies ahead, Maresca was quick to praise his players for stepping up. “They all deserve to start in the Premier League,” he said. “But the way they take their chances when given minutes is fantastic.”
Barrow manager Stephen Clemence admitted, “You never know what team Chelsea will put out, but you know it’ll be good. The gulf in quality is massive. I’m looking forward to getting back to League Two.”
Barrow’s best hope of a shock came early when Rory Feely’s long throw-ins threatened Chelsea’s defense. But the hosts quickly asserted control, with Nkunku volleying home a delightful scooped assist from Felix in the 8th minute.
Nkunku then flicked in a cross from Malo Gusto, after a clever backheel from Neto, to double the lead.
A 25-yard free-kick from Felix made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark, as his strike hit the post, only for the ball to rebound off Farman and into the net.
Chelsea, currently without a shirt sponsor but reportedly in talks with Qatar Airways, brought Chilwell on for the second half to rapturous applause.
The England international even donned the captain’s armband, marking a return to first-team action after a summer of uncertainty.
Nkunku was involved again in Chelsea’s fourth goal just two minutes after the restart, setting up Mudryk, who squared for Neto to finish.
Maresca then introduced academy prospects Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George, highlighting the club’s youth development despite their big-money signings. George missed a golden opportunity to score, firing wide when through on goal, but Chelsea’s dominance was never in doubt.
Barrow had a brief spell of pressure, with Kian Spence forcing Filip Jorgensen into a spectacular save. But Chelsea sealed their win in the 75th minute when Farman hesitated in possession, allowing Nkunku to pounce, steal the ball, and complete his hat-trick.
Nkunku celebrated with his signature move, pulling a blue balloon from his sock and blowing it up to mark a night where Chelsea’s so-called “B team” put on a show others could only dream of.
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