​LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Valentin Barco of Chelsea acknowledges the fans after the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Chelsea and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on August 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images 1. VALENTÍN BARCO (7.8)Last time we saw Valentín Barco in a competitive setting, he was getting his neck wrung by Jude Bellingham, after England’s defeat in the World Cup semifinals. Barco didn’t actually play in that game (was an unused substitute), but he got a bit carried away in his goal celebrations, which irked his opponents. Hopefully that won’t be the last time he annoys the opposition, especially as he’s now one of us.Barco may not have won the Man of the Match officially, but he’s just nicked the top post for us, ahead of the quartet of attacking players who got that start in this one. Obviously, Luton are not exactly a good team, but you can only beat whoever you’re facing.Valentin Barco put on a clinic as a midfielder tonight, this is what we expect from our CMs.Enzo Fernandez forgot how to play like this and had to turn into a box crashing midfielder.Sell that bum, Chelsea are safe now.pic.twitter.com/Xs7FmCrvqk— JnR (@CFCJnR) August 27, 20262. COLE PALMER (7.7)Palmer’s excellent start to the season continues. The only problem with this game was that he did play the full-90, which is not exactly ideal with another match coming up on Sunday.3. DANNY WELBECK (7.3)Debut goal for Welbeck; great to see him scoring at the Bridge, and not to our detriment!vs. LUTON TOWN (LC, H, W 2-0)EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Barco (7.8), Palmer (7.7)GOOD (6.5-7.4): Welbeck (7.3), Lacroix (7.3), Estêvão (7.3), Acheampong (7.3), James (6.8), Gusto (6.8), Penders (6.8), Rogers (6.7), Chavarría (6.6)AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Gittens (6.4, sub), João Pedro (6.3, sub), Neto (6.2, sub), Lavia (6.1, sub), Hato (6.1, sub)SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): —BAD (3.5-4.4): —TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —OVERALL