"We're delighted with the win because we've had a tough period," a visibly relieved Graham Potter told reporters after Chelsea beat Leeds United 1-0. "I'm delighted for the players and supporters who have had to suffer."
Suffer is one word for it. This win was a long time coming for Chelsea supporters. 48 days to be exact. That's when the Blues last won a match. Ironically, that was also a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, against Crystal Palace.
Wesley Fofana's fantastic header in the early moments of the second-half ensured a much-needed three points for the hosts in front of an anxious Stamford Bridge crowd. Understandably anxious, to be fair, after seeing the way their side have performed since the turn of the year.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea win, substitutions, Koulibaly, Fofana, Chilwell, more
However, the result was the most important thing on Saturday afternoon – that was clear. It's now up to Chelsea and Potter to find a way to build some momentum.
There were plenty of things to observe in west London on Saturday despite the game perhaps not being the most thrilling. So, with that said, football.london takes a look at four things we learned from Chelsea's win against Leeds.
Badiashile decision continues to be vindicated
Chelsea made eight signings in total over the January transfer window, but not many – if any – have settled in as well as Benoit Badiashile. Signed for £34million at the start of the window, many believed the 21-year-old defender was very much viewed as someone for the future, but that hasn't been the case and he's already become an integral side of the Blues' defence.
Badiashile made two crucial interceptions over the 90 minutes against the Whites and once again looked really calm and composed on the ball. So far in his short time with the Blues, Badiashile has been used as the left centre-back in a back-four but on Saturday the defender was used on the left-hand side of a back-three and he flourished.
Badiashile loves to drive forward with the ball at his feet and this is more feasible on one of the sides with more space in front of him. If Potter uses the back-three for any upcoming games, then Badiashile may well be his choice on the left-hand side.
Blues see the old Chilwell again
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a vintage Ben Chilwell performance. The England international has had such a torrid time with injuries, which keep disrupting any sort of momentum he gets under his belt. Saturday afternoon was a refreshing and timely reminder – if we needed it – of what Chilwell is capable of.
In the first half, Chilwell was used really far out on the left-hand side to try and spread Leeds’ defenders and get some more space in the middle. There were countless occasions where he made penetrating runs in behind but wasn’t found, but he was also picked out by his teammates a couple of times. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the end product but it was a much-improved performance from the former Leicester City man.
Mudryk question needs to be asked
Chelsea splashed serious money on bringing Mykhaylo Mudryk in from Shakhtar Donetsk in January but it hasn’t happened for the Ukrainian winger so far. After a brief cameo against Liverpool, Blues supporters were left super excited by his potential but he hasn’t been able to generate that sort of excitement since. On Saturday afternoon, though, that was to no fault of his own.
We didn’t even see Mudryk warm up down the Stamford Bridge touchline as Chelsea beat Leeds by a single goal. Potter never called upon Mudryk despite making all five of his substitutes in the 90 minutes.
Noni Madueke, another January signing, was brought on, but Mudryk was left on the bench. It doesn’t bode well for Mudryk ahead of perhaps Chelsea’s biggest game of the season (so far) against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening with the winger lacking first-team minutes in recent weeks.
Character shown by Chelsea
Chelsea’s recent run of form has brought out some seriously strong opinions from the club’s fan base – and that is understandable. The players have seen their mentality and mindset questioned in recent weeks but on Saturday they showed a steel we had almost forgotten they possessed.
Stamford Bridge was predictably as hostile as it has been this year, with every misplaced pass and wasted opportunity forcing a collective groan from the fans. That is enough to impact the players, make no doubt about that, but Saturday showed their desire and the fight is still there.
Potter may be under huge pressure. However, by Saturday’s evidence, the speculation of him ‘losing the dressing room’ looks to be complete rubbish.
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