Chelsea’s 3–1 defeat to Leeds United in the Premier League has triggered widespread reaction among fans and pundits, with differing opinions on what went wrong. Softfootball’s match analysis team has reviewed the game in detail to identify the key issues behind Chelsea’s disappointing display.
Much of the criticism has been directed at head coach Enzo Maresca. While some blame is justified, Softfootball believes he should not shoulder full responsibility. One questionable decision was starting young Estêvão Williams.
Although fans have called for the youngster to receive more playing time, our analysis suggests he is not yet physically ready for the intensity of the Premier League. Pedro Neto, who offers more experience and physicality, may have been the better option from the start.
Defensively, Maresca’s choices were largely shaped by injury concerns. Many supporters have argued that Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah should be the preferred center-back pairing. However, it is well known that Fofana cannot currently handle two matches in a single week due to fitness management.
While Maresca is aware that Tosin has struggled to meet Chelsea’s defensive standards, his options were limited. Overplaying Fofana could risk a breakdown, something the manager is keen to avoid.
Questions were also raised about the absence of Reece James, widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s most important players. Softfootball suspects minor knocks or fatigue may have influenced Maresca’s decision, issues that are often kept private to avoid media pressure.
Cole Palmer, returning from injury, featured in the match but was unable to perform at his usual level. Chelsea’s season has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries to key players, leaving the squad without consistent rhythm.
Given these challenges, Maresca faced a difficult task in organizing his defense. The combination of Chalobah, Tosin, and Badiashile was a gamble aimed at stability. Although Badiashile was withdrawn in the second half, the defensive issues persisted despite adjustments.
Ultimately, Chelsea’s struggles reflect deeper issues beyond tactics alone, injuries, fitness management, and squad limitations continue to affect performance. As Softfootball notes, factors involving players like Lavia, Reece James, and Fofana, coupled with the physical demands seen in matches such as the clash against Arsenal which Mikel arteta called a proper london derby, remain key concerns for Maresca as he looks to stabilize the team.
