Leeds United boss Javi Gracia expects a ‘demanding’ trip to Chelsea on Saturday. He also feels it will be ‘important’ for the Whites to be ‘very aggressive’ to win at Stamford Bridge.
The Elland Road natives travel to west London looking to do the double over the Blues. The West Yorkshire side beat the capital club 3-0 at home in August under Jesse Marsch. Gracia replaced the American in charge last week and edged Southampton 1-0 in his debut game.
Leeds had not beaten Chelsea in eight meetings across all competitions since January 2003 before last summer’s victory. They have also not won away to the Blues over their past six trips to Stamford Bridge. The Whites last took a victory in west London in December 1999.
Chelsea have further beaten Leeds in their past five meetings at Stamford Bridge. Marcelo Bielsa lost 3-1 to Frank Lampard in December 2020 and 3-2 to Thomas Tuchel in December 2021 after guiding the Whites back to the top-flight. Marsch only took on Chelsea at home.
Gracia has visited Stamford Bridge once as a manager across his three previous encounters with the Blues. The 52-year-old oversaw a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in charge of Watford back in May 2019. He also lost 2-1 at home in December 2018 but he won 4-1 in February 2018.
Javi Gracia explains his plan for Leeds United to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Leeds boss Gracia beat Chelsea in his third match in charge of Watford. He lost 1-0 away to Southampton in the FA Cup then drew 0-0 at Stoke City in the Premier League after taking over the Hornets. Watford also scored three goals after the 84th minute to beat Chelsea.
History is, somewhat, repeating itself for Gracia at Leeds ahead of visiting Chelsea. He met Southampton in his first match at the helm in the Premier League before a 2-0 FA Cup loss at Fulham. Now, the Spaniard will visit Stamford Bridge expecting a real test this Saturday.
“I think it’s important to start very aggressive, to continue very aggressive and to finish more aggressive,” Gracia said, via quotes by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“To go to Stamford Bridge, it’s always very tough and I had that experience and I know how demanding the game will be. In this moment, the necessity they have as well in terms of points, then we have to be very focused and prepare for a demanding game.”
Leeds go to Chelsea 17th in the Premier League table after Gracia oversaw a narrow win at home to Southampton. While the Blues start the weekend just 10th in the table and closer to the relegation zone (10 points clear) than the Champions League places (14 points shy).
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