It's the question on every Leeds United fan's lips
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
06:00, 03 Dec 2025
It's a decision that could influence the trajectory of Daniel Farke's future
View Image
It's a decision that could influence the trajectory of Daniel Farke's future(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The big question heading into Leeds United's clash with Chelsea will be answered 75 minutes before kick off. The second half at Manchester City saw a sea change thanks to a formation switch up. The 3-5-2 system worked a treat.
Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk looked more assured, the wing-backs had their leash loosened to good effect and the midfield seemed much more compact. Goalscorers Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a half-time substitute, and Lukas Nmecha both complimented each other superbly.
It seems to make sense to start that system against Chelsea, who will also likely be dominant and have Cole Palmer back among ranks. But has Daniel Farke alluded to the fact that different opposition require different set-ups and that the system might not be used against the Blues. Or is that just a red herring?
Impact on future
Whichever way he goes, it could be decisive. Return to 4-3-3 and lose and the critics’ knives will be out. Play 3-5-2 and also lose, where does that leave him? It underlines that points only matter from now on.
Chelsea and Liverpool are indeed difficult fixtures in which to gain results - but this is the club’s own doing. Losses to Burnley and Nottingham Forest have heaped pressure on Farke to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
He almost did against Man City. But ‘almost’ will not save Leeds from relegation or his job. Six defeats in seven games could become eight in nine by Saturday evening.
That is relegation form with a gap between the bottom five and the rest of the table already opening up. Today feels like a big day for Farke.
Record vs Maresca
Encouragingly, Farke has beaten Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca both of the two times they met in the 2023/24 campaign, when the Italian was manager of Leicester City. Ultimately, it would be Maresca who had the last laugh regarding promotion.
Of course, the pair find themselves in different circumstances. Maresca has moved to a Champions League club soaked in billions. The difference in 2025 spending between the two clubs is £194m.
Normally the onus would be on Maresca to squeeze a result but the corner Farke finds himself backed into means he too is under pressure. Out the pair, he is the most likely to lose his position right now.
Left-hand flank
Farke dropped Gabriel Gudmundsson and Noah Okafor from the left channel on Saturday having publicly admitted he was concerned about goals leaking down the left-hand side.
He explained yesterday that this was not anything against the pair but more so that he felt it the right time to bring in Wilfried Gnonto and James Justin. Both looked loose for the first goal at City inside a minute before Gnonto was taken off at half-time amid the change of formation.
Whoever gets the nod on the left side may depend on what formation Farke chooses. At home, the Whites are expected to be more attacking and adventurous, so that could also play a part. It will certainly be a dicussion point once the teams are released.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestLeeds Unitedcoverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghereto subscribe.
Article continues below
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhereto be sent all the day's biggest stories.