Phil Hay predicts Leeds United team news v Chelsea after what Javi Gracia told media
Phil Hay doesn’t see Javi Gracia starting with two strikers as Leeds United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to the media this week, Gracia suggested that he could revert to a 4-4-2 formation he employed in his spell at Watford with the Spaniard so far playing 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 at Leeds.
However, The Athletic journalist Hay suspects that Gracia will stick with a central trio of Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Weston McKennie, perhaps to combat the fact Chelsea are expected to dominate possession on 4 March.
“The defence has been very tight under [Gracia] so far – not a single big chance given away in two matches (and if you look at the numbers, Leeds give away more than most sides in the Premier League),” said Hay on The Athletic website on Saturday morning (4 March). But they’ll need to start taking their chances.
“Gracia was talking about two up top at his press conference on Thursday. Will he go that way today?
“Something tells me he might stick with the midfield three of Adams, Roca and McKennie.”
Makes sense
It would be a bold move by Gracia to start two strikers against Chelsea.
But, then again, is it a bold move that Leeds need right now?
Graham Potter’s side are in terrible form and the Chelsea manager finds himself under enormous pressure at Stamford Bridge with the London club slowly slipping into the bottom half of the Premier League.
Leeds, for all their issues this season under Jesse Marsch, are only nine points behind Saturday’s opponents in the league standings.
Sure, it’s still going to be difficult and there will come a point when Chelsea’s form improves.
But playing a midfield duo would probably play into their hands a bit as it would allow players who are usually good in possession to take advantage and get a firm grip on the game.
We want to see Georginio Rutter starting.
Patrick Bamford hasn’t done anywhere near enough to deserve his starting spot so that’s what we’d like to see happen up front this week at Stamford Bridge.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are already considering a change of manager in the summer with this Englishman being eyed up by the club.
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest, breaking news from Elland Road.