Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Richie Mills

Thu 23 April 2026 17:10, UK

Daniel Farke has instilled a togetherness and a fighting spirit at Leeds United that the likes of Chelsea would be envious of.

Chelsea have spent billions on their squad over the years, and where has it got them? Just when it seemed like they were making progress under Enzo Maresca, the Italian parted ways with the Blues in January and now they are sliding down the table.

They were fifth at the time of his departure, and while Maresca was far from the best manager Chelsea have ever had, with a points per game record of 1.74, Rosenior was far worse at 1.42ppg. Now, they look destined to not qualify for European football next term.

In Yorkshire, Leeds will be licking their lips at the prospect of taking on managerless Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday in the last four of the FA Cup.

As Leeds aim to heap more misery on eight-placed Chelsea, it is worth bearing in mind what the Whites are exhibiting that the Stamford Bridge outfit lack.

No snipes at Daniel Farke from Leeds players

In late March, Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez pointed the finger of blame against the club’s owners, in a not-so-subtle dig at Rosenior.

On Maresca’s exit, he said: “Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot … especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short. We had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad. But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing.”

He also didn’t rule out a summer exit from Chelsea and another prominent first-team player, Marc Cucurella, said something similar. Two leaders in their team not leading by example.

While Leeds are lower down the food chain, after getting promoted from the Championship last season, would any Whites players speak out against Farke in this way right now?

Moreover, the sheer output from his team shows how united they are behind the German. Leeds regularly outrun their opponents, including in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Wednesday.

They had no right to claim a draw when 2-0 down at Chelsea in February but showed their battling qualities as the Blues wilted. The same happened at Bournemouth thanks to Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute equaliser.

While Chelsea were not helped by a reduced break and pre-season, after winning the Club World Cup last summer, the fact that they haven’t outrun any of their opponents this term may suggest there is a mentality issue on top of a physical one.

Chelsea appear to be a team of mercenaries in a cash-rich but unbalanced squad. Leeds’ team is greater than the sum of their parts. The same cannot be said for the Blues.

Leeds sense FA Cup opportunity

After Leeds’ comeback draw at Bournemouth, they seem primed to have a real tilt at making the FA Cup final for the first time since 1973.

They are in the semi-finals for the first time since 1987 and are enjoying a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

They include wins over West Ham in the FA Cup and victories over Manchester United and Wolves in the Premier League.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have lost five in a row and haven’t scored in that stretch. If there is a good time to face the Blues, it is right now.