Same ground, same opponents, but most importantly, it was the same result for Leeds United. The Whites once again defeated Nottingham Forest, but this time in the Carabao Cup.
Goals from Dan James and James Justin ensured we booked our place in the third round of the competition.
Compared to the Premier League game over the weekend, where a draw would’ve arguably been a fair result, this was not the case in the cup tie last night. Leeds had six big chances in the game compared to Forest’s one. United were more than worthy of winning the game 2-0.
The game in midweek gave Daniel Farke the opportunity to hand a Leeds United debut to our fourth summer signing, Nico Elvedi. The Swiss centre-half was extremely impressive in the game. Jaka Bijol will surely be looking over his shoulder from now on after seeing what Elvedi is capable of.
Every chance that Nico Elvedi could become a regular starter for Leeds
Elvedi was brought in for £8.5million earlier this summer from Borussia Monchengladbach. I think we all expected the 29-year-old to come in and play the same role Sebastiaan Bornauw did last season.
However, his United debut proved that Elvedi will be far more than just backup. The defender will be pushing to start on a regular basis. Especially if he keeps performing as he did last night.
Elvedi read the game well and looked composed on the ball, limiting Chris Wood to just one shot in the entire game.
If the Swiss international were to replace anyone in the starting XI, you would imagine Bijol’s place in the heart of the back three would be the most under threat.
On the left, we need Tarik Muharemovic ideally for his left foot to provide balance, whilst on the right, Joe Rodon’s recovery pace and ability to overlap make that wide centre-back role perfect for him.
So for Elvedi to break into the team, Bijol is likely the one he will be competing against. Last season proved that Farke felt as though Bijol was the most disposable of his starting centre-backs.
The Slovenian played 1913 Premier League minutes last season, which was over 1000 fewer minutes than Rodon and Pascal Struijk managed for us last season.
So with Elvedi coming in and looking as though he will provide stiff competition at the back, Bijol will surely be looking over his shoulder this season.
Nico Elvedi’s Leeds United debut by the numbers
The fact we came up against Premier League opposition in the Carabao Cup was a great test for Elvedi, and ultimately it was one he passed with flying colours.
Elvedi finished the game against Forest with a 91% pass completion rate, with 62 out of 68 passes being successful
Elvedi also managed to make one key pass during the game, whilst completing three out of the five long balls he attempted
The defender also made 11 defensive contributions during the game. This included making two tackles, three interceptions and four clearances
Of the 10 duels Elvedi was involved in, he won six of them (Sofascore)
By no means was Elvedi’s debut perfect, however. There was a point in the first-half where he got left for dead by Wood after some tidy footwork, but Rodon was there to bail him out.
But for the vast majority of the game, Elvedi was sensational.
Barring any injury troubles, I still expect Bijol to start over Elvedi this weekend when we host Brentford. However, it may not be long before this becomes a real dilemma for Farke when picking between the two.
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