Chelsea v Leeds United - Carabao Cup Third Round
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Zetterer of Leeds United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on September 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Leeds United lost their first game of the campaign in the most Leeds way imaginable.
When Brenden Aaronson scored in the 48th minute to put us 2-0 up against Chelsea, we had played them off the park to that point. It looked as if we were going to comfortably book our place in the 4th round of the Carabao Cup.
However, the substitutes that Xabi Alonso threw on at half-time ultimately had their say in the second half and sparked a remarkable comeback from the hosts.
Chelsea eventually ran out as 6-3 winners. Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers were at the heart of everything Alonso’s side did well in the second half.
But one Leeds player, who was handed his debut by Daniel Farke, ultimately had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Zetterer endures poor Leeds United debut v Chelsea
When Michael Zetterer, 31, joined us for £4.3million over the summer, it was clear that the German was coming in to provide backup to James Trafford.
It was expected that Zetterer would ultimately make his debut for United against Chelsea. But absolutely nobody could have predicted just how poorly things would play out for the ‘keeper.
In the first half, Zetterer looked assured on the ball. He had very little to do but made a couple of decent saves.
This rapidly changed in the second half.
There’s a serious discussion to be had that, for three of Chelsea’s six second-half goals, Zetterer should be doing a lot better.
For Palmer’s second goal, Zetterer was rooted to the spot as he watched the ball roll past him. For Danny Welbeck’s first goal, the ball squirmed past him at the near post.
And for Valentin Barco’s goal, Zetterer palmed Roger’s low cross into the Argentinian’s path for him to fire it home.
In the end, Zetterer did not make a single save in the second half. Chelsea ended up putting Farke’s side to the sword.
Daniel Farke will be praying James Trafford doesn’t get injured
The full blame for the defeat cannot all be put at Zetterer’s doorstep. The full defence fell apart in that second half. However, the German must accept his fair share.
James Trafford has been so assured and calm for us in goal so far this season. So, to see Zetterer in goal was like having a flashback to when Illan Meslier was in between the sticks.
After Zetterer’s shaky debut, Farke will be hoping that Trafford does not sustain any form of injury that will rule him out for a run of Premier League games.
Because if Trafford does get injured, our backline will be unsettled at the sight of seeing Zetterer back between the sticks after his disastrous performance at Stamford Bridge.