Chelsea take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday as they look to continue a solid start to the Premier League season. The Blues have recorded four points from their opening two games of the season against Spurs and Everton and the draw with the Lilywhites appeared to suggest Thomas Tuchel's side were beginning to get up to speed.
The German coach has been will be available for the clash despite a pending one-match ban, and Chelsea will have fond memories of their last visit to west Yorkshire having come away 3-0 victors in May. A lot has changed at both clubs since that moment and each team has been active in the transfer market.
Leeds have seen key cogs in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha depart the club but still managed to pick up a win and a draw in their first two Premier League games of the season. The Whites have backed Jesse Marsch, who is now settled in the Leeds hot seat, and broken their transfer record to land Brenden Aaronson, as well as a number of other players such as Luis Sinisterra.
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The home side could certainly be a different prospect on Sunday afternoon, and like against Everton, Chelsea will have to overcome an uncertain record. The Blues have never won consecutive away league visits to Leeds. With all that said, football.london spoke to Leeds Live's William Jackson for the lowdown on Sunday's opponents.
How have Leeds started the Premier League season under Jesse Marsch?
Considering Leeds had to wait until October to register their first win last season, to have four points after two games comes as a huge relief. Performances, for the most part, have been promising and Marsch seems to be getting his point across with the benefit of a full pre-season behind him.
They showed a lot of grit and character to see off Wolves at Elland Road and in all honesty, they should have picked up three points last week at Southampton. They threw away a two-goal lead in that one but there was still plenty to like about the performance.
Leeds have seen major players leave in the form of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, how are they coping with that?
Phillips and Raphinha were heroes at Elland Road and their departures were always going to be tough to swallow. However, the club have been proactive in the transfer market and in Tyler Adams they seem to have found someone capable of at least partially filling the Phillips-shaped hole in their midfield.
Luis Sinisterra has been signed as a replacement for Raphinha, but fans haven’t seen a lot of him so far due to injuries. Expect him to make his home debut on Sunday against the Blues.
How would you rate the club’s transfer window so far?
Leeds did well to get five significant first-team signings through the door before their pre-season trip to Australia in July with Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen, Sinisterra and Adams bolstering what was a thin squad. Aaronson has probably been the pick of the above names so far, with his energy and high-pressing game enough to catch the eye.
However, there is a recognition that Leeds still need to make improvements in a couple of key areas. They went all out to sign Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge but eventually lost out to AC Milan, meaning they are still a forward short. The pre-season injury to Junior Firpo also prompted the club to search for a new left-back, but so far they have been unsuccessful on that front. Leeds have every right to be delighted with their business so far but they can’t afford to sit back and relax just yet.
Leeds struggled in their last Elland Road outing against Chelsea, but Marsch has had more time to put his stamp on things, what has changed?
Well, as mentioned above, there has been a change in personnel with Marsch bringing in a number of players he has worked with before. It’s not quite as gung-ho as it was under Bielsa, but it’s still high energy with Leeds pressing high up the field out of possession.
You’d have to say there’s a different energy about the squad, too. Marsch has used the summer to instill fresh positivity and confidence into his players after securing survival on the final day last year.
How do you expect Leeds to line up this weekend and what should Chelsea expect?
Patrick Bamford limped out of last Saturday’s draw at St Mary’s with a minor groin complaint, but if he’s fit, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Marsch name an unchanged side for the third straight game.
If Bamford is absent, Joe Gelhardt or Rodrigo, who is in red-hot form at the minute, may well lead the line.
Who should Chelsea fans be watching out for?
Rodrigo. He’s scored three of Leeds’ four goals this season so far and he looks to be thriving under Marsch. The Spain international has been a frustrating figure during his time in West Yorkshire, but right now it seems everything he touches turns to gold.
Jack Harrison has started the season in fine form, too, and he’s been Leeds’ chief creative threat so far.
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