Right-back is evidently where Jesse Marsch has the biggest Leeds United question to answer as Chelsea roll into town on Wednesday night. Luke Ayling’s suspension, Stuart Dallas’s injury and Cody Drameh’s loan leave the Whites with a problem.
Marsch has given very little away with his comments on how he would solve the issue, but his repeatedly positive words about the display against Manchester City, as well as the wealth of centre-backs available, could mean we see a back three with wing-backs.
Liam Cooper’s return to the side looks straightforward enough if he is considered fit enough. Junior Firpo looks unlikely to be dropped based on the head coach’s warm comments about him.
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Marsch was given a big opportunity to talk up Lewis Bate at the end of Sunday’s loss, but his praise for the teenager was tempered by the admission Mateusz Klich was only taken off because of his yellow card.
Raphinha was weighed up as a wing-back option by Marsch, but the American also talked about the limitations that role would place upon his vital attacking threat, so a role in a front three, as it was against City, seems more likely.
Jamie Shackleton was discussed, but the quantity of caveats Marsch weighed against the academy prospect does push against his inclusion. Daniel James was praised for the work he did in that role at Arsenal when down to 10 men.
It could be a coin flip between Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt through the centre in attack given the Spain international was dropped at Arsenal and the youngster was unfortunately sacrificed early.
Predicted line-up: Meslier; Koch, Llorente, Cooper; James, Phillips, Klich, Firpo; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison.
