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Chelsea at Leeds United predicted XI: More RLC at RWB in 3-4-3

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Reece James of Chelsea (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Chelsea travels to Elland Road on Sunday to take on a Leeds United team that has always been a difficult opponent for the Blues. Chelsea needed two penalties to win this game last season, so there’s no telling what this contest will require. This game will especially take a lot from Thomas Tuchel’s men physically. The Blues and the Whites sit on the same number of points (four) after the same number of games (two) in the Premier League thus far.

Here’s who The Pride of London believes Tuchel picks to get the result that will eventually separate the teams in matchweek three:

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Surely you’re not asking why Edouard Mendy starts between the sticks.

Reece James (No. 24) Right centerback, England

Reece James was one of Chelsea’s best players last time out against Tottenham. Tuchel probably doesn’t plan to use James at right centerback long-term, but we can assume that he’ll deploy James here again because of the physical requirements of the game. Rodrigo has been sensational for Leeds thus far this season and Chelsea will need a fast defender like James to deal with him. Trevoh Chalobah could also get a chance at right centerback. James provided the cleanest finish of the match last time around against Spurs, and he seems to have continued his magnificent form from last season.

Thiago Silva (No. 6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva was generally OK and he was also guilty of being out of position for the last corner of the game. If it is “zonal marking” and “that’s bound to happen,” then Chelsea will concede a lot of unnecessary goals and it’s near impossible to make the case that they’re unavoidable. Weirdly, many fans seem to think the Blues can do without physically dominant centerbacks. Yet, none of their rivals do. Manchester City forked out more than £60million for Ruben Dias, despite already having a plethora of centerbacks options who are very good passers of the ball. Liverpool has three centerbacks as tall as or taller than 6-foot-4 (1.93 meters).

Kalidou Koulibaly (No. 26) Left centerback, Senegal

Kalidou Koulibaly was superb for msot of the game agaisnt Spurs. he rarely put a foot wrong, but he wasn’t flawless. he was grossly out of position for the seond Tottenham equaliser. yes, arguents that the corner shouldn’t have stood in the first place is valid, but it doesn’t negate the fact that the corner was given and Chelsea still had to deal with it.

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