Last season in the Championship, Leeds United were one of the best attacking units the competition had ever seen. The Whites scored 95 league goals and reached a 100 points on their way to Premier League promotion.
Farke’s side thrived on thrilling attacking football that depended heavily on wing-play. The system at the club brought the best out of the likes of Junior Firpo and Manor Solomon from the flanks.
But since the Whites came up to the Premier League their style has changed. Most of that is from losing the likes of Firpo and Solomon, but Farke has changed how the team play as the season goes on. Against Chelsea on Wednesday night, fans saw a glimpse of the style the team used to conquer the Championship last season. The Whites were the better side on and off the ball against the Blues, and Enzo Maresca even admitted so.
Gary Neville thinks Leeds United have ‘rare’ players in both wingback positions
Wednesday night saw Farke go fully with the 3-5-2 shape against Chelsea, and it paid off. Jaka Bijol, Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were on the scoresheet on the night. Gary Neville who was on Sky Sports, said two players caught his eye on the night. According to him, Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson were quality performers in the game:
”I thought the wing backs were outstanding, real energy.”
| Statistic | |
|---|---|
| Goals | 3 |
| Expected Goals | 2.79 |
| Big Chances | 2 |
| Shots | 17 |
| Shots on Target | 5 |
”The way in which they went about the business and we’ve seen I think it’s hard to find good wing backs, players who play that sort of position naturally.
”So yeah, I think last night was was a good was a good night for Leads. Really good night. They were dominant. They really did physically outmuscle Chelsea.”
Bogle and Gudmundsson could be key moving forward
The last two games have shown how playing Lukas Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin together could be the key to unlocking goalscoring. Both Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson showed against Chelsea that they will be key.
When it comes to a system like the 3-5-2, wingbacks are very important. They play key roles in both the attack and defence; if Bogle and Gudmundsson can continue this form, then this system will continue ticking as they fight for Premier League survival.
