Leeds United: Daniel Farke must hook Joel Piroe after FA Cup first-half stinker v Chelsea
Leeds United were unable to make an early lead count in the first half of their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 28 February.
Daniel Farke’s side headed into the break 2-1 down to Mauricio Pochettinho’s side as goals from Nicolas Jackson and Mykhaylo Mudryk cancelled out the early opener from Mateo Joseph.
Despite the difference in the two side’s league position, Leeds had plenty of the ball and managed to put Mauricio Pochettinho’s side under pressure repeatedly, but Joel Piroe was unable to have a real impact on proceedings.
The 24-year-old was deployed just behind Joseph in the number 10 position which has become his preferred role at Elland Road, but for most of the half, the game completely passed him by as he was little more than a spare part.
Can Leeds United beat Chelsea in the FA Cup?
While Leeds saw plenty of the ball at Stamford Bridge, Piroe had very few touches in the first half only managing 24 touches, four of which saw him immediately dispossessed as he seemed completely unaware of his surroundings.
Out of possession, the 24-year-old didn’t work hard enough without the ball only winning two of his eight duels both in the air and on the ground in the opening 45 minutes as the Chelsea backline and midfield repeatedly bullied him off the ball with ease.
All of Farke’s Leeds United team did what they could to look after the ball in possession so that they didn’t put themselves under any unnecessary pressure, but Piroe only managed to complete 79 per cent of his 14 attempted passes.
With Patrick Bamford ready and waiting on the bench, having already impressed in this competition this season, Farke has to axe the Dutccman and get the England international involved early in the second half.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has revealed why Jamie Shackleton was nowhere to be seen against Chelsea on Wednesday
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