Chelsea wonderkid gives Mauricio Pochettino good omen as Liverpool sent Carabao Cup warning

Chelsea have given themselves a much-needed boost over Liverpool ahead of their Carabao Cup showdown by – inadvertently – securing themselves a good omen. The two clubs will lock horns at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon as either side looks to get their hands on some silverware.

Mauricio Pochettino will be keen to finally win over the Blues fanbase, who have begun to ask questions of the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, meanwhile Jurgen Klopp will want to mark his final campaign at Anfield with a trophy. Chelsea's worryingly poor record at Wembley may fill Liverpool with confidence.

The Blues have lost each of their last five cup finals at the venue, walking away empty-handed from the FA Cup thrice and the Carabao Cup twice. In 2019, Manchester City defeated Chelsea on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes – a game which was infamously overshadowed by Kepa Arrizabalaga, who refused to be substituted.

Then, in 2022, Liverpool rubbed salt into the wounds of the west Londoners, controversially beating them on penalties. Chelsea will now return to Wembley this weekend for a sixth bite of the cherry – and they have a good omen up their sleeve.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Kendry Paez will be in attendance at the Carabao Cup final. The 16-year-old midfielder agreed a €20m (£17.5m) transfer to the Blues in June, but he won't be able to join from Independiente del Valle until after his 18th birthday in May 2025.

In the meantime, Chelsea are determined to do everything they can to help the Ecuador international adjust to life in west London ahead of his arrival. Paez was in attendance when the Blues beat Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal at Stamford Bridge.

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