Xabi Alonso says he will analyse how to ensure Chelsea’s squad players are more impactful, after needing to substitute four of them at half-time to avoid defeat in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match against Leeds United.

The Blues were 1-0 down at half-time when Alonso replaced Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Malo Gusto and 16-year-old debutant Reggie Watson with the established quartet of Reece James, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto.

Though the hosts soon went 2-0 down, they came back and scored half a dozen second-half goals to prevail 6-3 and reach the fourth round.

“When you don’t have time to work with them, it is difficult to compete at this level,” Alonso said.

“So it is my responsibility, and we had to take decisions at half time. We need to analyse it.

“I will have a deeper assessment about how I can help players not playing that much to have a better impact.”

Alonso was asked whether the match provided evidence that Chelsea’s best players can win them any match while squad players are not up to standard.

In response, the Spaniard said: “I prefer not to take that cynical [view]. And I know probably I haven’t taken the right decisions for them to show their best level. It is something I will learn from today.”

Chelsea face Hull City in the Premier League on Saturday, with the newly-promoted Tigers unbeaten since their return to the top flight, having beaten Manchester United and Coventry City, while drawing with Aston Villa last time out.