View: Chelsea Super Fan delivers lowdown on clash v Leeds

Thu 11 March 2021 19:40, UK

This is part of a regular series from our panel of Super Fans on upcoming Leeds United games. We’re delighted to welcome David Smith as our exclusive Chelsea expert. David is a football writer and a massive Chelsea supporter.

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Following back-to-back Premier League defeats Leeds United will hope to get back to winning ways against an in-form Chelsea at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds have lost to Aston Villa and West Ham in consecutive league fixtures, with the Whites having picked up just three points in their previous five games.

Chelsea meanwhile are in scintillating form, having not lost a game since Thomas Tuchel was appointed manager in late January, comfortably beating Everton 2-0 in their last outing.

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We asked Chelsea Super Fan David Smith for his thoughts on the game, the latest team news and what he thinks will happen at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds United

Since Tuchel came to the club in January you’ve been on fire. How has the new manager changed things at Stamford Bridge?

Tuchel has made fantastic strides since becoming Chelsea manager. He has implemented a more balanced system across the park, the fact Chelsea were in 10th when he arrived to being in a Champions League spot now speaks volumes for what Tuchel has done in a short space of time. The mentality in the club has changed and sloppy goals are no more.

Even Kepa Arrizabalaga has been more consistent. The defensive work that Tuchel has implemented has allowed Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Timo Werner & Kai Havertz more exposure to hurt teams. Games against Liverpool, Everton and Man Utd we’d have lost under Lampard.

Who have been the standout players for you since Tuchel took charge?

I mentioned the backline being more solid. Mason Mount has his doubters but he’s improved so much under Tuchel, Jorginho has been consistent as well and Werner is starting to score goals which is always healthy for a striker. The one player I would like to single out that’s helped the defensive shape that Tuchel has introduced is Andreas Christensen. He’s been a totally different player under Tuchel, giving nothing away and being a rock at the back.

How do you think you’ll look to exploit Leeds this weekend?

Leeds are hot and cold at the minute and I can see us exploiting them with the current system that’s in place. Leeds are an expansive team but leave a lot of gaps at the back, and with Mount, Kante, Jorginho alongside the strikers in Olivier Giroud, Havertz and Werner, I can see Chelsea scoring a few at the weekend.

Who do Chelsea fans see as the main threats from Leeds?

Patrick Bamford’s goal tally speaks for itself, and both Helder Costa and Kalvin Phillips are also tricky players on the ball that can hurt Chelsea if their backline isn’t switched on.

What’s your score prediction for the game and why?

0-3. If we play to our usual rhythm like we have lately and expose Leeds then I can see us turning Leeds over but they’ll definitely have a go.

What do Chelsea fans make of Leeds this season?

Full of praise for the way they go at teams. In the reverse game back in December, Leeds got an early goal before Chelsea rescued the game. They haven’t came into the Premier League to make up the numbers and have been an exciting team to watch.

Are you confident that you’ll finish in the top four?

Was very curious back in January but now yes, this Saturday is a big game for us as, with all due respect, the rest of the games up to about May are against teams fighting relegation or mid-table teams. Beat Leeds on Saturday and this run will continue for a good while I feel.

It would be underselling the task at hand to describe Chelsea simply as difficult opponents. They’re playing fantastic football at the moment, and though they aren’t raining goals, they leave little space for error.

We’ve proven this season that we have enough talent to beat anyone on their day, but given the Blues’ form we’ll need to have a brilliant day to break the away side’s streak.

In other Leeds United news, Paul Robinson believes Leeds should make Ben White their top summer transfer target.