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Chelsea player to blame for Leeds United defeat – Ikpeba

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2022

Fahuyost (ANE Staff)

Chelsea player to blame for Leeds United defeat – Ikpeba

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Both Senegalese stars that started for Chelsea had a game to forget as Leeds United picked a shock 3-0 victory.

Former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba has weighed in on Chelsea’s shock weekend loss to Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United on Sunday.

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The Blues endured a surprising 3-0 loss at Elland Road in their Premier League fixture against Leeds United with Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo, and Jack Harrison grabbing the goals.

Chelsea’s Senegalese pair of Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly both had poor outings with Mendy responsible for the first goal while Koulibaly was shown a red card towards the end of the match.

Mendy error cost Chelsea – Ikpeba

However, Ikpeba has pointed out that Mendy was most at fault for Chelsea’s loss, stating that the goalkeeper’s error was the starting point of the loss for the Blues.

The former Monaco forward noted on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football show as reported by allnigeriasoccer that Mendy had ample time to clear his lines but he failed to do so and went ahead to concede the first goal.

Ikpeba said: “I think Mendy’s error changed the dynamics of the game. That’s the Premier League. The moment Leeds had that upper hand.

“Look at Mendy. I don’t know what’s wrong with Mendy. He had so much time to clear his lines. I don’t understand what he was doing.”

Ikpeba highlight’s need for striker at Chelsea

The ex-Nigerian international went further to state that Leeds United excelled in defending against a Chelsea side that had no striker and that had Mendy commit another error that handed the victory to Marsch’s side.

Edouard Mendy.

“This is a team (Chelsea) without a striker. They had more ball possession, they dominated play but Leeds defended very well. They (Leeds) played the pressing game from the beginning of the match,” Ikpeba explained.

“But even at that, Chelsea had their moments and I don’t think this was the first time that Mendy will be making this kind of error. He’s made errors in the past but what a gift for Leeds’ first goal.”

Thomas Tuchel and his Chelsea charges will aim to arrest a two-game winless run in the league when they host 19th-placed Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, August 27.