Thomas Tuchel Reacts To The Humiliating Defeat As Chelsea Were Thrashed By Leeds United.

Leeds United thrashed Chelsea 3-0 this afternoon at Elland Road.

While the team's collective sleepiness and simple individual mistakes bear the brunt of the criticism, Leeds had the better game strategy by attempting to replicate what Chelsea did to Spurs in the 2-2 Battle of the Bridge last week.

Run at them, close them down, and concede easy but necessary fouls to stop play. Be obnoxious. Once that has been determined, take advantage.

Chelsea, who have reportedly spent more than £170m on players over the summer, were the architects of their own downfall in the first half.

Leeds got into the lead through Brenden Aaronson opener in the 33rd minute, thanks to Edouard Mendy error. 

Mendy received the ball and attempted to flick it away from an onrushing Aaronson. The American midfielder who was signed from RB Salzburg in the summer, couldn't believe his good fortune when the Senegalese goalkeeper made a complete mess of controlling the ball and the Leeds player walked the ball into the goal.

Minutes later, Rodrigo scored a second for Leeds from a straightforward free-kick on the left by Jack Harrison, Reece James was unable to get close enough to Rodrigo, who flicked the ball beyond Mendy's helpless dive in the 37th minute, giving the home side a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The second half was mostly about containment as Chelsea searched for an equaliser. But Leeds' defence was equal to the task.

Jack Harrison then added a third in the 67th minute as Tuchel’s side collapsed, with new signing Kalidou Koulibaly receiving his marching orders after been shown a second yellow card late on by referee Stuart Attwell with five minutes remaining.

The result means 12th-placed Chelsea have just four points from their first three league games, three behind Leeds who moved second after sealing their first Premier League win over Chelsea in seven attempts, dating back to 2002. 

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel blasted his side’s individual errors after their shock 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.

“We can play on a high level and today we lost track,” Tuchel told the press in the post-match conference.

“Everything was going well and I still believe we can win with this team in Leeds. I think it's more our fault than anybody else's credit.

“Because we gave away an own goal and then we concede from a set piece. We were able to cope with their style, be the better team, be two goals ahead. But then we give two goals away and then the belief and body language was not like it was in the last match.

“I think we lost it in the first 20 minutes. Instead of 2-0, it became an even match and in that even match, we gave two goals away and then the game is almost done because we give away the spirit and belief.

“Second half we tried, but it's the same story. We had half chances, shots, we cannot score, and we concede from a half chance.

Tuchel admitted the mistake by Mendy was a huge blow.

“He knows himself. With these kind of mistakes, we don't have to speak a lot. It's a huge mistake in a crucial time in the match. It does not help and he's the one who is most disappointed.

“We cannot get frustrated in Premier League games. It should be pure joy to play in an atmosphere like this.

“For me the story is that we were not all over the place. With the ball we were not sharp enough. Against the ball we were fine.

"A set-piece and an own goal tell the story today.”

With less than two weeks left in the transfer market, time is running out for Tuchel to bolster his squad. They have been heavily linked with Wesley Fofana of Leicester and were handed a boost as he was left out of the match-day squad that lost 2-1 to Southampton on Saturday.

Tuchel has been rumoured to be looking to link back up with Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang, as Barcelona look to shift the attacker in order to help their financial situation.

The Blues would be looking to do more when they play their next game at home against Leicester City on August 27.