Three Leeds players surely facing the axe vs Chelsea after training ground latest
Leeds will be looking to get a win after four successive defeats against Chelsea on 3 December as pressure mounts for Daniel Farke to keep his job.
Despite the 3-2 loss to Man City on 29 November buying Farke more time to save his job at Leeds, it looks inevitable that he will be fired at some point in the near future if results remain unchanged.
Farke is the odds on favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked with the likes of Ange Postecoglou in the running for the Leeds job.
Ahead of a crunch game against the Blues, the German will surely decided to have made changes to his starting XI after the final training session leading up to Wednesday night’s Elland Road clash.
Dan James
Having been taken off in the defeat to the Cityzens, Farke confirmed the extent of Dan James’ injury for Leeds as he unfortunately suffers another setback in a frustrating season.
The Welshman has played just 357 minutes this campaign for the Yorkshire outfit as he looks likely to miss much of the action in December due to a hamstring problem.
The ex-Norwich City boss will be forced to revert to Brenden Aaronson filling in once again down the right-hand side to try and threaten Marc Cucurella.
With just one goal and one assist to his name in 2025-26, James’ cover may struggle to put a dent in a solid Chelsea rearguard.
James Justin
The loss at the Etihad coincided with a shock first start for Leeds in the Premier League for James Justin.
The Englishman joined the Whites over the summer, yet has struggled to force his way into Farke‘s preferred backline.
However, with the ex-Leicester City defender being hooked off against City in the 69th minute with a minor injury, the German may feel it is best to restore Gabriel Gudmundsson to the starting XI.
Justin did shine for Leeds on his first league start of the season, and may return to the line-up when they host defending league champions Liverpool on 6 December.
Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto made his first start for the Whites on 29 November since the 30th August, following several niggling injuries.
The Italian was limited to just one half of football as Farke builds him up to full match fitness with Jaka Bijol coming on in his place.
The 22-year-old struggled to have a meaningful impact against Pep Guardiola‘s side, which will likely see the German recall the explosive Noah Okafor.
The Switzerland international has two goals to his names thus far this season and often has been one of the Peacocks’ brightest sparks, warranting a necessary return to the starting XI against Chelsea.