Chelsea v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Bielsa Names Unchanged Starting XI

[Chilli D]

The miss by Raphinha from the corner when the first shot was blocked and he blasted the second one over was really pivotal. That goes in and I reckon we get at least a point. A couple of minutes later and we're 2-1 down.
We've had bigger defeats this season but it's the first time we've really been outclassed, particularly in the second half. Only poor finishing prevented that from being a real hiding.
We have played the three best teams in the league now (Liverpool, Man City & Chelsea) and we now have games coming up against teams we have a more realistic chance of getting points in.
Did anyone else notice Llorente limping after Chelsea scored their third goal?

[DavidH]

We looked as though we had lost our swagger in the second half. Little industry, little crafty play, almost overawed. Things won't be as bad every week. To lose your "just bedding in"centre half so close to the start, and having to replace him with another who hasn't started the bedding in process yet, against a fast dangerous team as Chelsea (grrr), is "undesirable". Llorente did as well as could be expected under the circumstance, and I'm sure he will become a fixture of our defence.

In the middle of the week, I read many opinions that Raphinia would score, maybe even a hattrick! Early on, he made some incisive passes, but apart from that, I thought he was disappointing. Ran into the man far too often. Alioski (a favourite of mine), was either out of form or too slow to pick up his man in that second half. When they got the ball, he was often chasing back to catch up with his man. It amazes me that the one Leeds player on the field who managed to score against Chelsea, (not just a tap-in by the way) is still berated by some of the forum contributors, and singled out to be replaced as not good enough. What more can he do when the ball was so often in the opposite half!!! Eight goals is it now? Sure many other prem teams would like him in theirs.

So put it partly down to a bad day at the office. We matched Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and beat Everton. This result does not mean we will not win another game all season. But as others have said, the gun to mark the start of the race for the top, sounded many years ago. We have only just taken to the field, and are many laps behind. Time and judicous purchases will allow us to pare that lead back.....but not overnight!

[Aussieleeds]

Just watched the game. We were definitely not outclassed for the first 60 minutes against one of the top 3 sides in the league, but we did seem to tire after that.
But would much rather watch us have 55% possession and try to outplay a half billion dollar team rather than do what most promoted teams do and simply defend direly for 90 minutes.

[White Riot]

It’s sad but unfortunately true, I’d say VAR has made this more so which is a bit odd.

Well, with VAR or not, I think it'll always be the case that you will get more penalties if you take a fall.

[lufc1304]

I dislike Chelsea and Lampard as much as the next man but I have to begrudgingly give credit where it's due, they are a very very good side, which when you spend the money they do, you should be but it still needs putting together. That is the first time I've seen them play and they seem to have all the right players in the right areas, height where it's needed and pace to spare, Havertz was the only one that didn't impress. That is probably the fittest looking team I remember seeing since the late 90's early 00's Wenger team at Arsenal. Like that team they broke with pace and good swift passing, like that team they were wasteful in front of goal.
Hopefully this will give some of our fans the realisation of being in the PL, and how far away at present we are from challenging for a top 6 place. We weren't great but the different class in player was the main reason for that, we spent neigh on 100m in the summer but haven't been in a position to play all the 4 signings in the team at once to see what if any difference it makes, let's not forget we started the game with 9 championship players, they had more worth on the bench than our whole squad cost. I don't like losing, especially to these, but I'm not too down hearted because of who they are footballing wise, now Crystal Palace, that was a pisser.

We all know we need to strengthen but that's not going to happen over night, patience is what's required, let's stay in the PL as our first and major goal, then build season by season.

Rodrigo has to start Friday.

Absolutely spot on, Ges. They are probably the most impressive side I've seen this season and will be up there challenging all year. We are a work in progress with a team that cost less than Pulisic who started for them on the bench. Great to read some proper perspective amongst the doom. Possibly half of last night's starting 11 won't be in the side next season if we stay up, that's the reality. And putting them up against a billionaire side like Chelsea, Prem big hitters, is always likely to end up being a little one sided. Hate them, despise Fwank but they are a very good side. We're not. Yet!

ALAW

[The Subhuman]

So, despite the money spent, credit must be given to Lampard. History is littered with high price crap teams but it takes a decent manager to put it all together

Were we wrong?

[Currie14]

The problem we have at corners, both defensive and offensive (and in some other aspects) is conditioning. All our players are skinny super fit athletes but you wouldn't put a whippet in with a pitbull it would get eaten alive and similarly we are getting bullied by big physical beasts (Zouma, Van Dijk) etc.
Struick is the closest thing we have to a big physical presence but who knows f he's good enough at the other things.
Big and good at everything else (VVD) costs £75m plus. Unless you're Manscum who blew that on Maguire who isn't!
Many of the chelski players last night were just to strong and it was really noticeable perhaps for the first time.

[whiteswan]

So, despite the money spent, credit must be given to Lampard. History is littered with high price crap teams but it takes a decent manager to put it all together

Were we wrong?

I'm beginning to think so faaip

[whiteswan]

The problem we have at corners, both defensive and offensive (and in some other aspects) is conditioning. All our players are skinny super fit athletes but you wouldn't put a whippet in with a pitbull it would get eaten alive and similarly we are getting bullied by big physical beasts (Zouma, Van Dijk) etc.
Struick is the closest thing we have to a big physical presence but who knows f he's good enough at the other things.
Big and good at everything else (VVD) costs £75m plus. Unless you're Manscum who blew that on Maguire who isn't!
Many of the chelski players last night were just to strong and it was really noticeable perhaps for the first time.

That is a very good post

[Leeds1000]

The miss by Raphinha from the corner when the first shot was blocked and he blasted the second one over was really pivotal. That goes in and I reckon we get at least a point. A couple of minutes later and we're 2-1 down.
We've had bigger defeats this season but it's the first time we've really been outclassed, particularly in the second half. Only poor finishing prevented that from being a real hiding.
We have played the three best teams in the league now (Liverpool, Man City & Chelsea) and we now have games coming up against teams we have a more realistic chance of getting points in.
Did anyone else notice Llorente limping after Chelsea scored their third goal?

I like what you did there. but what about the one Werner cleared off the line for us and the other 10 chances Chelski had. It could have bee 8-2 in the end.

[Leeds1000]

So, despite the money spent, credit must be given to Lampard. History is littered with high price crap teams but it takes a decent manager to put it all together

Were we wrong?

No...They were.

[The Subhuman]

Either Chelsea outclassed us and Lampard out thought Bielsa or they got lucky and didn't deserve the win

[Cjay]

Cant stand Lampard.

Dont think he is a particularly good manager, lets be honest, look at that squad, fully fit squad as Lampard said.

They should beat us comfortably.

That being said Chelsea ran 6km more than we did apparently. Credit to Lampard for that.

Thats going to piss MB off probably more than the result.

Perhaps prompt him to make changes? Rodders? Costa?

It doesnt change my opinion on Lampard, i dont buy the hype, but we are rarely outran and allowing a far more talented team to outrun us is unacceptable.

But swap the squads over and Lampard would get relegated and probably never promoted in the 1st place.

What would MB do with that Chelsea squad?

[lufc1304]

First bit, yes, faaip, but Lampard out-thinking Bielsa is a stretch, imo. I think we do have to give him some credit; as you said elsewhere, there are many highly expensive teams in football history who were not good sides, so he's doing something right. However, give Marcelo the roster Fwank has and we see a very different outcome.

[1964white]

Possibly half of last night's starting 11 won't be in the side next season if we stay up, that's the reality.

I'm absolutely sure that will be the case Nick, expect more quality signed up in the next two windows.

All about patience for us Leeds fans as right now we are in a period of transition

[John in Louisiana]

Either Chelsea outclassed us and Lampard out thought Bielsa or they got lucky and didn't deserve the win

Don't think it's fair to say Bielsa was out-thought.

Yesterday's game put me in mind of Grant and Lee (American Civil War generals). Both were brilliant tacticians (although "brilliant" is a word I'm not yet ready to use to describe Lampard), but Grant had advantages in men and material that he masterfully used to wear down and decisively defeat the opposition.

Bielsa is still the better manager.

[BGwhite]

Could be worse ....just heard Wilder saying about "getting their first win of the season today" .

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[White Riot]

Could be worse ....just heard Wilder saying about "getting their first win of the season today" .

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Looking forward to seeing his lemon sucking face at full time again

[Metro1962]

Watched the game and have to ask How come VAR was not used in Chelsea's 2nd goal when a player clearly fouled Liam Cooper??????????????????????????

[Clacton White]

Looking forward to seeing his lemon sucking face at full time again

He has that sort of face now , always looks like he's about to burst into tears . Heck was. Like it and especially Lee Clark when at Brum . Being s cry baby not good for a manager , really .