“They are far better”- Enzo Maresca issues Leeds United verdict and names only 2 Chelsea players who deserve credit

“They are far better”- Enzo Maresca issues Leeds United verdict and names only 2 Chelsea players who deserve credit

Chelsea fell short at Elland Road on Wednesday night, with Enzo Maresca left deeply disappointed by his team’s display in the defeat to Leeds United.

The Blues were second-best from the opening minutes, conceding after just six minutes when Jaka Bijol headed in from a corner. Ao Tanaka doubled Leeds’ lead before half-time with a powerful strike.

Pedro Neto briefly sparked hope by pulling a goal back early in the second half, but a costly defensive mistake allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to seal the win for Leeds with 20 minutes to go.

Chelsea struggled across the pitch, and Maresca admitted his side fully deserved the loss, crediting Leeds for their superiority and highlighting only Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho for improved second-half efforts.

“They were better than us in every aspect and fully deserved the win,” Maresca said. “There’s nothing positive to take from this. All we can do is analyse our mistakes and reset for Saturday’s game.

“No one reached their best level tonight. Pedro and Garna after the break were probably our top performers. After our goal, we created two chances through Cole and Joao, but the third goal finished the match.”

Maresca expressed hope that this was simply an off-night, noting that his team were outclassed with and without the ball, in duels, and in second balls.

He also warned his players about underestimating opponents after previously strong showings against Arsenal and Barcelona, stressing that every Premier League match requires full intensity.

“For many reasons you can’t maintain the same level every game,” he added. “If you don’t perform at 100 percent, this league is unforgiving.

Playing so well against Arsenal and Barcelona doesn’t guarantee the same performance the next time. Some players can’t feature every two or three days, and when we rotate, the level drops — that’s the reality.”

Chelsea remain fourth in the table, three points behind an in-form Aston Villa. They now travel to face struggling Bournemouth on Saturday before heading to Italy for a Champions League meeting with Atalanta.