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Chris Watson

Leeds United fans voice defensive concerns after Liam Cooper blow confirmed vs Chelsea

Leeds United fans have been reacting to the confirmed team news for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has made three changes to the side that started the 2-0 defeat at West Ham United on Monday night.

Skipper Liam Cooper is absent, so Pascal Struijk makes his return to the starting line-up after injury earlier than expected.

Gjanni Alioski and Jack Harrison also returns to the side in place of Mateusz Klich and Helder Costa.

Illan Meslier continues in goal behind a back four of Luke Ayling, Struijk, Diego Llorente and Alioski.

Kalvin Phillips will line up in front of the defence, with Stuart Dallas replacing Klich in middle and Tyler Roberts in front of them once again.

Harrison returns to join Raphinha in the wide positions, with Patrick Bamford leading the line against his former club.

Leeds fans were disappointed to see Cooper miss out, while hoping Struijk has not been rushed back too soon.

Others would have liked to see Rodrigo given the nod to start ahead of Roberts.

Leeds are looking to bounce back from successive defeats against a Chelsea side unbeaten in nine league matches.

The Whites went into the game 11th in the table, 15 points behind their fourth-placed opponents.

Leeds: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Dallas, Roberts, Harrison; Bamford. Subs: Casilla, Koch, Berardi, Shackleton, Klich, Costa, Jenkins, Poveda, Rodrigo

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Chilwell; Kante, Jorginho; Mount, Ziyech, Havertz; Pulisic. Subs: Kepa, Alonso, Werner, Zouma, Kovacic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, James, Emerson.

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