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Jesse Marsch favourite states delight at newfound Leeds United setup under Javi Gracia

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Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has detailed what has changed between the management styles of Jesse Marsch and new manager Javi Gracia.

Leeds are preparing for their second Premier League game under Gracia this weekend as they travel to Stamford Bridge with a clash against Chelsea looming.

Gracia has fond memories of taking on the Blues, especially when just arriving into a managerial position, having beaten Chelsea 4-1 shortly after taking the Watford job in 2018.

How is Gracia doing at Leeds?

We are only two games into Gracia’s reign at the club, but already there are signs of marked improvement.

Defensively, Leeds look far less susceptible to conceding big chances, having only allowed an xG total of 0.36 against Southampton and 0.19 against Fulham.

In front of goal, Leeds are creating plenty of chances while working the ball into good areas by exploiting the full width of the pitch, culminating in Junior Firpo scoring the first goal of his tenure.

What has Adams said?

Adams joined Leeds from RB Leipzig in the summer and was thrust into a familiar high-pressing system under Jesse Marsch, having played under him both at NY Red Bulls and Leipzig previously.

It’s a system that very much suited the USMNT skipper, but he believes a more ‘balanced’ approach from Gracia is going to get more out of this Leeds side.

Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport about the changes that the Spaniard has made, he stated:

“He’s impressed me a lot. When he first came in, we didn’t have a lot of time to execute a perfect game plan for Southampton but what he did is focus on key bullet points, or key details that we need to improve.

“One of those things was with the ball. How can we break teams down more efficiently in possession whether from goal kicks or when we get into the attacking third. Not just going to the goal straight away.

“Leeds are notorious for winning the ball back quickly and going straight to the goal. But not every time we win the ball, do we need to play the first pass forward that we see.

“Maybe we can keep the ball for two, three passes, switch the ball from side to side and start to tire the opponent. You saw that a little bit more against Southampton.

“He offers more of a balanced approach to the way that we’re going to play. It’s not just all out pressing, or all out possession, but of a balance.”

Chelsea v Leeds predictions?

Chelsea win

Chelsea win

Draw

Draw

Leeds win

Leeds win

You could see from minute-one against the Saints that Gracia was ripping out the basics of Marsch’s setup and changing it.

We played with width all game, and were less eager to press every time we lost possession, meaning we dealt with transitions so much better.

Granted, Southampton are currently the worst team in the Premier League, so outplaying them should be a bare minimum, but we did the same against Fulham as well, only to be undone by two screamers.

There’s a long way to go before this appointment can be considered a real success, but we are seeing signs of that being the case.

Quiz: Did the following 15 players play for both Leeds United and Chelsea?

1 of 15

Has Jack Harrison played for both?

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.