Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has claimed he will be coming up against an “outstanding” coach when the Blues face Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.
An old rivalry is set to be renewed at Stamford Bridge tonight (February 10), when Leeds make the trip to London.
Leeds came out on top in the reverse fixture at Elland Road, clinching a 3-1 win that served as a turning point in the club’s season.
However, as the clubs prepare to meet again, Farke is facing the prospect of meeting a Rosenior-led Chelsea for the first time.
Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are preparing to host Leeds United.placeholder image
Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are preparing to host Leeds United. | John Walton/PA Wire
The managers last did battle in the Championship, when Rosenior was in charge of fellow Yorkshire outfit Hull City.
Liam Rosenior hails ‘outstanding’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin
In his pre-match press conference, Rosenior said: “Going to Elland Road is always really, really difficult. It's a club where their fans back them really, really strongly at home.
“Daniel is an outstanding coach and you can see in their recent performances as well. [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin is in really good form, their press, their energy, they’re direct in a really positive way. So, it's going to be a really difficult game against them again.”
The aforementioned Calvert-Lewin has been in excellent form this season, vindicating Leeds’ decision to bring him in on a free transfer in the summer.
Chelsea will be hoping to keep a lid on the in-form Leeds United marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.placeholder image
Chelsea will be hoping to keep a lid on the in-form Leeds United marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin. | Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Rosenior said: ”They were magnificent in that game, very forward thinking and direct. And when I say direct, I mean it in a really positive way -they use the strengths of their team.
”They use Dominic – his movement in the box is outstanding – and they get corners in the box and counter-press really well. We have to stand up to that and overcome the intensity [they will bring], which is key to the game.”
Leeds currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, six points above 18th-placed West Ham United.