If only this was a one-off. If only Chelsea hadn't capitulated previously under Thomas Tuchel. If only the issues highlighted at Elland Road by an exuberant and indefatigable Leeds United weren't done so by West Bromwich Albion in 2021 and Brentford earlier this year.
The result will be framed as a shock, an unexpected early-season blow. Those who have followed Chelsea a little closer in recent years know better. Such a performance, warts and all, can never be entirely ruled out by supporters come matchday. And that is a problem.
Not that Tuchel wanted to question the overarching mentality of his squad after this afternoon's 3-0 defeat. Instead, he focused on the errors made by his players. "I don't think it is the mentality," he said when asked by football.london, "when Edou (Mendy) doesn't take the right decision.
