He traveled to Leeds several days later, in September 1979, to sign for the club for a fee of £100,000. Chandler had originally been told by manager Jimmy Adamson that he was regarded as "one for the future" at the club, but just two weeks after signing for the "Whites", he was named in the matchday squad as a substitute in a match against Manchester City on 29 September 1979. During the match, Paul Madeley suffered a concussion and was unable to continue. Chandler was introduced as a substitute, making his debut for the club during a 2–1 defeat. After a second appearance as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Chandler was handed his first start for the club in a 2–1 victory over Southampton. He made 17 appearances during his first season and scored twice, in matches against Tottenham Hostpur and West Bromwich Albion.