Daniel Farke will be desperate for a result on Wednesday night when Leeds United host Chelsea, with the German’s job on the line and under the watchful eye of Paraag Marathe and the 49ers.
Reports following the encouraging 3-2 loss to Man City claim that Farke has two games to save his job at Leeds. That starts with the home clash against Chelsea, before welcoming Liverpool to Elland Road.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
A week ago, fans were calling for Farke’s head, but that has subsided a touch after Farke almost produced a miraculous comeback against Man City at The Etihad. Leeds were moments away from a 2-2 draw.
Farke showed he can be proactive and is willing to change formation. He absolutely has to use a 3-5-2 system on Wednesday night, but has rarely done so throughout his career. Enzo Maresca discussed it.
Leeds United v Leicester City - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca asked what system he thinks Daniel Farke will use
It is a difficult one to predict. If Farke wants to keep fans onside, and at Elland Road that is an absolute must, he has to use the 3-5-2 system that offered supporters a glimpse of what this side can do.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, paired up front, worked superbly. But if he reverts to type and fields a 4-3-3 system against Chelsea, something which he has always used, then fans won’t be happy.
Maresca was asked about the possibility of Leeds changing formation on Tuesday, and he responded by saying he is completely in the dark about what system Farke will go with when Chelsea come to town.
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“Good question. I don’t know. Farke played more than 200 games with Norwich, just 16/17 games with five. With Leeds, he played all games as a back four, apart from the second-half against Man City.”
Should Daniel Farke stick with his 3-5-2 formation against Chelsea? ð¤
“I’m always prepared to play 3-5-2. It’s about the way I want to play against the ball.
“If it were that easy, we’d use it every game then anyone can be a Premier League manager. We couldn’t do it against Aston Villa because they press differently.”
Daniel Farke speaking after Leeds’ 3-2 defeat against Manchester City
James Justin and Daniel Farke v Man City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
What does Enzo Maresca think about the Man City incident?
Maresca earned his stripes as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager before making the move to manage Leicester City in the summer of 2023. He has of course since thrived in management, now at Chelsea.
The Italian gaffer was asked for his opinion on Gianluigi Donnarumma going down to fake an injury on Saturday, which allowed Guardiola to speak to his players and relay tactical information on the pitch.
“I never see Pep doing that when I was there in the past. I cannot say more things. The time I spent there, he never did this,” Maresca said, with action now being taken to prevent this kind of thing happening.
Chelsea expert Jack Drury has told LeedsUnited.News that while he expects Chelsea to beat Leeds, the Whites can exploit Chelsea’s makeshift midfield with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo out.
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