"This isn't fair to Barrow", "Want 12 goals" - Fans react as Chelsea name starting XI for Carabao Cup clash against Barrow

Fans have reacted to Chelsea naming a formidable line-up for the visit of League Two leaders Barrow for their EFL Cup opener at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (September 24).

The Blues are unbeaten in three games across competitions - winning two - since losing 2-1 at Servette in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off second leg. Enzo Maresca's side are coming off a convincing 3-0 Premier League win at West Ham United at the weekend.

Expectedly, the Blues boss has made changes galore for the visit of Barrow, with none of the starters at the London Stadium starting against the League Two leaders.

Nevertheless, such is the gulf in class between the much-changed Blues side and Barrow - who play four tiers below Maresca's side - fans cannot help but imagine a landslide win for the hosts.

One tweeted:

"Omds, this isn't fair to Barrow team"

Another chimed in:

"I want 12 goals"

There were similar reactions from other fans, with one tweeting:

"Let's stadpad as much as possible"

Another chimed in:

"Another glory for the Blues soon"

One fan posted:

"We have moved on having to play the same players every day to changing a first 11 for every game, the depth is crazy"

Like the Blues, Barrow are unbeaten in three games across competitons, winning the last two, but it would require a miracle for them to continue their unbeaten run. It's pertinent to note that in their only meeting with the Blues - in the FA Cup in 1948 - Barrow lost 5-0.

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Chelsea boss on what his team need to catch up with Manchester City and Arsenal

New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

Chelsea have been in encouraging form under new boss Enzo Maresca since starting life under the Italian with a 2-0 home loss to Manchester City in their Premier League opener.

Since then, the Blues have won three of their next five games across competitions - including the last two. Following the Hammers win, the Blues boss outlined what his team need to do to catch up with the Premier League top-two of City and Arsenal (as per Chelsea news via Football London):

“I said that we are ahead of where we expected to be today, not in terms of results but in terms of the way the team are progressing and the way the team are playing.

“In terms of results, I still think that we are far from this kind of teams, like City and Arsenal because we need to learn many, many things, and we need to improve many things; attacking better, defending better.”

The Blues welcome Brighton & Hove Albion in the league on Saturday (September 28) next.