There was a lot to like about Chelsea's display against Spurs last Sunday. The only thing missing was the three points, thanks to some curious officiating.
The key for Thomas Tuchel will be harnessing that intensity, focus and precision when they face Leeds at Elland Road, where Chelsea gained a comfortable three points back in May, one of the few high points in a challenging end to a long season.
Chelsea have proved again they can compete against top opposition, but with the dynamic altered on Sunday, the mentality must remain similar against a Leeds side who have scored twice in both games so far this term.
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An intense game is expected on Sunday afternoon. Leeds under Jesse Marsch are not too far removed from the principles of Marcelo Bielsa, they still look to press as a unit, which naturally still exposes them to being undone when losing possession, something Southampton benefitted from despite being 2-0 down with under 20 minutes to go last weekend.
Tuchel will hope this will be the game one of this forward line gets on the scoresheet after two defenders in Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James found the net against Spurs. Jorginho's penalty against Everton at Goodison Park is the other goal so far.
Chelsea are unbeaten against Leeds since they returned to the Premier League in 2020, working out as three wins and one draw. Tuchel will hopefully not be talking about officials after Sunday - here are the burning questions before Leeds vs Chelsea.
Kante replacement
Persistent injury setbacks have become a frustrating part of N'Golo Kante's Chelsea career in recent years. Last Sunday, the Frenchman was embarking on one of his best displays in a blue shirt in some time, but then a lunge too far and he was wincing in pain.
With a hamstring injury expected to keep him out for at least a month, the central midfield options look slim given what Tuchel has used in the first two games.
But there is a boost in having Conor Gallagher for a high-energy game of this nature. The 23-year-old is a livewire and tireless runner, something Chelsea's midfield needs to operate at its peak. Even if Mateo Kovacic might be back soon, this is Gallagher's chance to make a firm impression.
Last audition before Auba?
Chelsea are pursuing the signature of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona and Sunday could prove to be the last game before he becomes a Blue.
This poses a test to both Kai Havertz and Armando Broja to prove their worth ahead of fresh competition. Tuchel's insistence on a reunion with his former Dortmund striker reflects a lack of trust in his current options, and given Havertz's failure to score in the first two, it is hard to strongly argue against it.
There are going to be a lot of games this season, even with Aubameyang potentially arriving, Tuchel will be forced to rotate when midweek Champions League games kick in. For Havertz, Leeds provides a great opportunity to lay claim to a significant role.
Broja may not have the opportunity to impress, however, with Tuchel confirming in his pre-match press conference that the Albania will not be in the party travelling to West Yorkshire.
Tuchel said: "Armando is out for some days but cannot come with us to Leeds."
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