Another day dawns and with it comes another Leeds United game. The fixtures are coming thick and fast early this season. Unfortunately, that’s because of the extended international break coming up shortly, which will leave me with the worst withdrawal symptoms I’ve experienced since that Easter when my mother stopped buying chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks. All in the name of Jesus and Lent.
Tonight brings yet another away fixture, this time a trip to the capital in the Carabao Cup. Leeds took four points from last season’s league meetings with Chelsea before losing to the cheating bast… Blues in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Every season seems to bring about the same old ‘would you rather?’ question. Would you rather win a trophy or survive relegation? As if both can’t be serious ambitions. With Leeds looking and playing like a side who very much belong at this level, I don’t see why they can’t be. Our last ‘major’ trophy came in 1992, and at one and a half years old, I was far too young to enjoy or even comprehend it. Oddly, winning the Championship twice and lifting an actual trophy on both occasions doesn’t seem to count.
So, the burning question: do I want us to win a trophy? Of course I do. Will I be overly bothered if we lose tonight? Not entirely. Do I want us to beat Chelsea? Every. Damn. Time. And we owe them a measure of revenge for the way they completely messed us around with Mudryk. Although, given we ended up signing Bahoya instead, perhaps they did us a favour.
Chelsea Under Alonso
The appointment of Xabi Alonso at Chelsea should work in the long term. At least on paper. A front three of Rogers, Palmer and João Pedro is already causing Premier League defences serious problems, with Chelsea scoring eight goals in their opening three league games. The problem is that a soft underbelly remains. They’ve already shipped seven at the other end, including two against Fulham and three against Brighton. Boil all of that down and Chelsea currently have the best attack in the league, but the second-worst defence.
For Leeds, that should offer plenty of encouragement. Chelsea will obviously carry a huge threat going forward, but they can be got at. If Leeds are brave enough tonight, there should be opportunities.
Chelsea vs Leeds United Team News
Xabi Alonso will be without Moisés Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha tonight, which could open the door for a bit of rotation. Mike Penders is an obvious candidate to come into goal, while Levi Colwill, Pep Chavarría and Malo Gusto could all be brought into the side. Gusto also gives Alonso another option in midfield if he wants to shuffle things around further.
Leeds have their own problems. Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph remain long-term absentees, while Ilia Gruev and Daniel James will both need to be assessed ahead of kick-off.
This early in the season, trying to predict either line-up is probably a mug’s game. The bigger question from a Leeds perspective is how much Farke actually wants to rotate. So, with absolutely no confidence whatsoever, I’ll have a mad guess at:
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Lavia, Barco, Chavarria; Estevao, Palmer; Welbeck
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Zetterer: Elvedi, Bijol, Muharemovic; James, Ampadu, Longstaff, Bard; Bahoya, Wilson, Nmecha
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Leeds shirts from years gone by.
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