Chelsea march on but £220m Caicedo and Enzo outshone by Leeds starlet

Conor Gallagher scored a goal in the last minute of the game to help Chelsea avoid a disappointing result and another long match. This win might have also saved Mauricio Pochettino from losing his job.

Gallagher’s goal secured a 3-2 victory over Leeds, keeping Chelsea’s season alive. They now have one more game at home against a lower division team, Leicester, in the FA Cup quarter-finals, which could lead them back to Wembley.

Although this last-minute victory seemed like a positive response to their recent loss in the Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool, it wasn’t a convincing performance. Leeds dominated the second half, putting pressure on Chelsea, who made five changes to their starting lineup.

Chelsea led 2-1 at halftime with goals from Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mydryk, but Leeds controlled much of the second half. They limited Chelsea’s chances and scored a goal to equalize the game at 2-2.

Leeds’s midfield duo of Ethan Ampadu and 17-year-old Archie Gray played exceptionally well, outshining Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Pochettino had suggested his team might be too tired from their previous game to perform well, but both Caicedo and Fernandez managed to contribute with crucial assists.

However, their struggles against a lower division team raised doubts about their effectiveness in Chelsea’s lineup. Pochettino has previously praised players like Mousa Dembele for their abilities, and it’s clear he values midfielders who can pass the ball effectively and resist pressure from opponents.

Chelsea’s attacks often faltered due to the opposition’s pressure, and Caicedo and Fernandez played it safe instead of taking risks to create scoring opportunities. Although they had some moments of brilliance, they seemed to lack the necessary skills to excel in Pochettino’s style of play.

Unlike his time at Tottenham, where Pochettino had the freedom to rebuild the squad, he may not have the same luxury at Chelsea, where expensive signings like Caicedo and Fernandez are tied to long contracts. This limits his ability to make significant changes to the team.

Pochettino will likely rely on younger players like Romeo Lavia and Carney Chukwuemeka in the future to strengthen the midfield. However, for now, Chelsea will face another tough match against Brentford, where they’ll need to show resilience and character to continue their season on a positive note.