Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel apparently played caution to the (gusty) winds of Elland Road (not to mention the variable weather and non-standard Premier League pitch), abandoning the three-man line of defense and deciding to play the crazy Leeds game what looked mainly like a 4-2-3-1. Christian Pulisic was definitely not a full-back, and not even in the symbolic sense of Marcos Alonso.
Pulisic’s advances in the attack created Chelsea’s best chances for a fully open first half, but the Blues failed to take advantage. Chelsea also hit the post by rebounding after a break from Leeds defense.
At the other end, Chelsea’s previously solid and firm defense looked more like Swiss cheese, with Leeds scoring once (correctly discarded for offside) and hitting the post once too (through Mendy’s fingertips and acrobatics) .
Chelsea seemed to exercise a little more control over time, especially after Patrick Bamford suffered an unfortunate sting in the hip, but a kick from Havertz in the clearing time was the clearest chance we could create, with Meslier making his third defense of half.
The second half started as openly as the first, with Havertz missing a fantastic chance on one side and Mendy making another tremendous defense, from Raphinha, on the other.
Chelsea continued to press for an opening goal, bringing in Werner and James and switching to a more familiar 3-4-3 in the last 25 minutes or so. Hudson-Odoi would be added a quarter of an hour later, but it was still in vain. Chelsea seemed to be the most likely to score throughout the game, although Mendy also had to be alert, including a somewhat fortunate attempt to grab a corner when Rodrigo got a little free.
No goals, in the end.
Carefree.
- Tuchel shuffles his deck again, arriving with a defense behind a pivot by Kanté and Jorginho, and the trio of Mount-Ziyech-Pulisic supporting Havertz as the center forward.
- More 3-4-3 familiarity in the last 25 minutes or so, with Werner, James and Hudson-Odoi as the three substitutes used.
- Tuchel remains undefeated as Chelsea manager, but two points have fallen here.
- Chelsea remain in fourth place, three points ahead of West Ham, who now have two games less. Two points behind Leicester, who play tomorrow.
- Next: the second leg against Atlético, at Ponte in the fourth
- KTBFFH
PLAYER RATINGS: