Chelsea’s away trip to Leeds was a far cry from the quality viewing we were treated to last week.
Elland Road was a melting pot, and many of the Chelsea players looked off their game from the start.
Leeds peppered Robert Sanchez from the off, and were ahead from a corner after just six minutes. You could tell Chelsea were desperate for the break to arrive, but they wouldn’t get there before Leeds doubled their advantage through Ao Tanaka.
After the interval, substitute Pedro Neto made an instant impact, scoring yet again. It wouldn’t matter much, though, as a Tosin Adarabioyo howler sealed the win for Leeds. 3-1.
Who was Chelsea’s best player vs Leeds?
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Chelsea player ratings after Leeds nightmare
Robert Sanchez – 5
Sanchez had one of his best games against Arsenal, but followed it up with a shaky performance against Leeds.
The Spaniard was fuming with his defenders as Leeds kept causing problems from corners — a fair point. But in the second half, it was him who was struggling to deal with pressure.
The linesman’s flag saved his blushes after a blunder that Felix Nmecha pounced on, and minutes later, he was hung out to dry for the deciding goal.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5
The decision to play Chalobah over a natural right-back was somewhat of a head-scratcher. He and his fellow defenders did not cover themselves in glory in the first half.
But Chalobah will be able to avoid the criticism for the most part thanks to his teammate.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 2
Tosin is not going to be popular in west London after that display. Forget about the rest of the performance — which was far from convincing. The error leading to Leeds’ third was exactly what many fans would have been worried about when his name was on the team sheet over someone like Wesley Fofana.
He received the ball in his own box and failed to bring it under control, gifting Calvert Lewin the easiest goal he’ll score all season.
Tosin Adarabioyo for Chelsea vs Leeds
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Benoit Badiashile – 4
Gary Neville said it best on the broadcast. He questioned why the three centre-backs had most of the ball, passing horizontally and not finding the players who can make things happen.
Maresca must have noticed the problem, hooking Badiashile at the break to bring on Malo Gusto.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Cucurella was playing a few different positions throughout the 90 minutes. It certainly wasn’t his best outing — a running theme it seems.
Andrey Santos – 5
Santos replaced Moises Caicedo against Leeds, and unlike the Burnley game, you could feel the drop-off.
He can’t replicate the Ecuadorian’s presence on the pitch, but that’s not something you can hold against him.
Enzo Fernandez -5
Without Caicedo alongside him, Fernandez didn’t have that same freedom to crash the box and threaten the opposition goal. He sat much deeper and struggled to affect the game.
Estevao Willian – 5
Estevao Willian for Chelsea vs Leeds
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
It was a frustrating night for Estevao in particular. That was quite clear from the swing he took at Anton Stach to earn a booking.
There were moments where he looked threatening, but a poor performance by his high standards. He made way at half-time for Neto.
Joao Pedro – 4
The Brazilian went missing at Elland Road. There really isn’t much else to say. No impact.
Jamie Gittens – 6
Gittens was quiet. Extremely quiet in the first half. He did grab another Premier League assist, though, before making way on the hour mark.
Liam Delap – 5
Chelsea’s first shot on target didn’t come until the 38th-minute courtesy of Delap. He had a couple of half-chances, but didn’t threaten as you would have expected.
This was the kind of game he shone in at Ipswich, but it just hasn’t clicked yet at Chelsea.
Chelsea substitutes bench with Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Substitutions
Malo Gusto – 5
Gusto should have featured from the start. He gave Chelsea more freedom to play out from the back. It was painful to watch before his introduction.
Pedro Neto – 7
Neto’s brilliant recent form for Chelsea made the decision to leave him out feel a harsh one. Maresca would correct the error at the interval, and it took just five minutes for him to justify the change.
It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it allowed Chelsea to regain a foothold in the tie.
Very clever finish! Is Pedro Neto Chelsea’s best attacker right now?
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Cole Palmer – 5
One positive to take from the trip to Elland Road is that we got to see Palmer back in action. Chelsea managed to stay competitive in his absence, but his return is massive.
He didn’t get his dream return, though. Palmer snapped at a chance for an equaliser that could have put a different complexion on the game. Maresca may be regretting his decision to bring him on in this kind of game.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Garnacho was positive when he got the ball. No end product though.