Leeds ‘can expect Liam Rosenior statement’ after irking Chelsea staff member at Stamford Bridge
Leeds United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening as they continue their push for Premier League survival.
Daniel Farke’s side have already got one over the Blues this season, beating them 3-1 at Elland Road back at the start of December.
That result sparked a run of seven straight games without defeat, and since then, the Whites have only tasted defeat twice in 13 matches.
Leeds beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 last time out, moving them six points clear of the relegation zone and level on points with Tottenham in 15th.
Chelsea continue goalkeeper feud against Leeds
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was absent from the Leeds squad for their trip to Stamford Bridge, as he continues to struggle with an illness.
The former Everton striker has been talismanic for the Whites over the last few months, and Farke will hope he recovers in time for their next Premier League game against Aston Villa on 21 February.
However, that wasn’t the only talking point pre-game, as tempers between the two sides flared even before the match got underway.
While Leeds were warming up, reserve goalkeeper Alex Cairns made his way into the Chelsea half of the pitch to catch Karl Darlow’s kicks.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth via X, a member of the Chelsea staff didn’t take too kindly to this, and went over to complain to Cairns.
Smyth joked that Blues boss Liam Rosenior will be releasing a statement about the incident after his complaints last week.
Rosenior claimed that Arsenal had been ‘disrespectful’ when a member of their coaching staff strayed into the Chelsea half during the warm-up, ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
“Alex Cairns is stationed in the Chelsea half of the pitch catching Karl Darlow’s kicks,” Smyth wrote. “One of Chelsea’s staff members has gone and complained to Cairns, who is doing his best to diffuse. We can probably expect a statement from Liam Rosenior.”
Karl Darlow must prove his quality to Daniel Farke
One slight weakness for Leeds in recent weeks has been the goalkeeper situation.
Lucas Perri was dropped by Farke following a number of errors, with Darlow coming back in between the sticks.
However, the 35-year-old has had problems of his own, punching a cross into his own net during the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at the end of January.
Darlow must therefore prove his quality to Farke, during the game against Chelsea and over the next few weeks in order to cement his place in the team.