Mark Jackson issues important message to Leeds United's youngsters ahead of Friday's home clash with Chelsea

Mark Jackson says Leeds United’s under-23s face an important part of their development in Friday's home clash against Chelsea at Thorp Arch.
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Jackson’s newly-promoted side have gone six Premier League Two Division One games without winning but enjoyed a 2-1 success at home to Premier League Cup visitors Mansfield Town on Monday.

Leeds will return to league action against second-bottom Chelsea in a 1pm kick-off at Thorp Arch on Friday and whilst full of respect for the Blues, Jackson says building momentum is now key to the footballing education of his young players.

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Ninth-placed Leeds are still seeking a first home win of the season in PL2 D1 but Chelsea are yet to win away.

KEY THREAT: Chelsea's 18-year-old Norway under-18s international forward Bryan Fiabema, right, who is Blues joint top scorer with four goals. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.KEY THREAT: Chelsea's 18-year-old Norway under-18s international forward Bryan Fiabema, right, who is Blues joint top scorer with four goals. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.
KEY THREAT: Chelsea's 18-year-old Norway under-18s international forward Bryan Fiabema, right, who is Blues joint top scorer with four goals. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

“As always, we’ll be expecting a tough game,” said Jackson, speaking on Leeds United' s official website.

“They have a world-renowned academy down at Chelsea, with a long history of producing top players.

"We know they have a lot of players out on loan at the minute, but they still have a lot of quality within the squad too.

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“We’ll be facing a very good team who will cause us problems, but we will be ready for that.

"We want to use Monday’s result as a platform to create some momentum.

"It’s really important for the players to do that, and that’s their challenge against Chelsea.

“We want to build on the level of performance and play the way we want to play.

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"We want to start to build momentum with regards to results now.

"It’s an important part of their development as players, so hopefully being at Thorp Arch, it’s a good opportunity to do that.”

Leeds have had several youngsters away on international duty but Jackson added: "Everyone is back in the building now.

"We’ve come together to work on the game plan and the structure for the game.

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“I always like to catch up with the players when they get back in from international duty.

"We have a clear understanding of what they do whilst away, we monitor all their games and performances.

“We’ve know the minutes they’ve played, their training, what they’ve been exposed to whilst away and what shape they are in.

"They’ve all come back in good spirits and are ready to go!”

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Eighteen-year-old duo Harvey Vale and Bryan Fiabema are Chelsea's joint-top scorers with four goals each, Fiabema a Norway under-18s international.

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