As Leeds United battered Chelsea on Wednesday night, loanee Facundo Buonanotte was watching on, snubbed from the Blues’ matchday squad yet again.
There was no hiding from the fact that Daniel Farke was firmly up against it this week as United hosted Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Anything other than a positive result and performance would keep pressure high on the German. But, he firmly delivered with an emphatic display from first whistle to last.
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Leeds United dismantle Chelsea’s ‘billion pound’ squad with immense display
The task of Leeds getting a result against Chelsea can be underlined by the two benches on display. Enzo Maresca was forced to rotate after energy-sapping games with Barcelona and Arsenal in the past seven days, but still boasted an incredibly talented bench:
Chelsea subs: Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu.
Pedro Neto whipped out his trademark celebration against Leeds United, only for it to backfire. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
Four of the Blues’ subs were purchased for fees that would break Leeds’ £36million transfer record paid for Georginio Rutter.
Of those, Neto, Palmer and Garnacho were all introduced in the second half. The former of those three restored brief hope at the back post with his goal for 2-1. Only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to scramble in the clincher for Leeds.
Facundo Buonanotte left at home again as Chelsea lose to the Leeds United side he rejected
One of the many signings Chelsea made in the summer wasn’t selected in Maresca’s matchday squad: loanee from Brighton, Facundo Buonanotte.
The right-sided attacking midfielder was slammed for his decision to join Chelsea in the summer, given he’d be competing with Cole Palmer and the talented Estevao for playing time.
Facundo Buonanotte has struggled badly for playing time at Chelsea since rejecting Leeds United.(Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
However, his decision followed rejecting a move to Leeds on loan. Leeds had even booked a flight to take the Argentine from the AMEX Stadium for the campaign. Buonanotte instantly opted for Stamford Bridge over West Yorkshire.
What’s transpired for the youngster is what everyone expected. He was initially left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad only for a Dario Essugo injury to see him brought in as an afterthought. But, in the Premier League, he’s been left out of their matchday squad for eight of 11 games since signing.
As he was omitted last night, BBC reporter Nizaar Kinsella said this:
“Ironic, Facundo Buonanotte again not in the squad to face the team Chelsea poached him from on deadline day. It’s the sixth consecutive PL game that the Brighton loanee has not been picked.”
Given the scenes inside Elland Road, it’s reasonable to think Buonanotte might be regretting his decision. Instead of being part of a special night for the home side, he opted to hand out the bibs at Chelsea’s training ground.
Read more: Leeds United eyeing stunning shock vs Liverpool after Chelsea win.