MOT View: 29y/o ace must return for Leeds after £35k/pw star struggles against Chelsea
Saturday night’s 3-1 defeat was a harsh reality lesson for Leeds United and now could be time for Marcelo Bielsa to make some changes ahead of the game against West Ham.
After impressing against Arsenal and Everton, Stuart Dallas kept his place in midfield, with Ezgjan Alioski starting at left-back.
Summer signing Rodrigo once again started on the bench – he has not featured in a starting XI since the 3-0 win against Aston Villa in late October – and we think it’s time for that to change.
Dallas, who earns a reported £35k per week, endured a tough evening at Stamford Bridge, as he struggled with the energy and pressing of Chelsea’s midfield.
Awarded a lowly WhoScored match rating of 5.89, he was statistically, Leeds’ worst performer on the night.
It was an uncharacteristically poor showing from Dallas, who has been a consistently steady performer for the Whites this season, with an overall WhoScored rating of 6.82 in the Premier League.
His struggles were highlighted by the fact he was dribbled past three times at Stamford Bridge and dispossessed a further three times, according to WhoScored.
With Alioski also struggling on the night, Dallas was moved to left-back to make way for Rodrigo, who came on with just over 20 minutes left to play.
There was an instant improvement for Leeds, who were searching for a potential equaliser before Christian Pulisic’s late goal. Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post was quick to point out the impact that the Spaniard had, claiming he added ‘a bit of sharpness and presence’ in the final third.
With West Ham to come on Friday, the Hammers – who have conceded six in their last five league games – could represent a great opportunity to bring Rodrigo back into the starting XI.
In other Leeds United news, Pundit claims £15k/wk Leeds ace to blame for 3-1 defeat v Chelsea