Top of the league in February last season, second with four games remaining; everything seemed to point to Leeds United’s return to the Premier League. It’s never that easy for the Whites, though. A run of four games without a win to end the season left them vying in the play-offs. Despite a first-leg victory over Derby County, who became fierce rivals after the Spygate scandal, they faltered at Pride Park. Now, for another season, Marcelo Bielsa must target promotion at Elland Road. Will ‘El Loco’ make it second time lucky for Leeds in 2019/20?
Marcelo Bielsa to Have Leeds United Battling Again
What’s New at Elland Road?
There is not too much different about this Leeds side at first glance. Jack Harrison and Jack Clarke have returned on loan, the latter after joining Tottenham Hotspur for £9 million. Perhaps the most notable changes at Leeds this summer have been their outgoings; influential defender Pontus Jansson moved to Championship rivals Brentford for £5.5 million. The talented but troublesome Samuel Sáiz has also left permanently, and Leeds seemed to have trimmed their wage bill significantly.
In terms of new faces, they have also brought in Hélder Costa and Ben White on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively. They also signed 18-year-old Liam McCarron from Carlisle.
Players to Watch
Hélder Costa
Arguably Leeds’ most exciting signing of the summer will turn out to be their most expensive. Costa joined from Wolves on an initial loan, which will become permanent for £15 million next summer. The Portuguese winger was electric in the Championship, scoring 15 goals and assisting 14 more during his time there with Wolves. However, he found the step-up to the Premier League more difficult. His promotion experience and technical ability make him a handful at this level.
Jack Clarke
Spurs must have seen something special in Clarke to make him their first signing in a year and a half. The 18-year-old winger is known for his ability to run at players and his turn of pace. Despite having a fruitful spell in the first team, he never fully recovered from a virus in February. It remains to be seen if Clarke can stake a claim for a place in the Leeds side or even Spurs’ first team.
Mateusz Bogusz
Bogusz was a signing that crept under the radar in January, but he has impressed in pre-season for Leeds. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder ran the game against Western Sydney Wanderers on their Australian tour, scoring as well. Bogusz is a traditional number ten with an eye for goal. He could take his opportunity early in the season to force Bielsa’s hand. We know the Argentinian manager loves to utilise youth.
Do Leeds Have What it Takes?
Bielsa brought the best football Leeds fans have seen at Elland Road for a long time last year. However, his slick, attacking style of play has its drawbacks; the intensive training and long season meant injuries piled up for Leeds. With the squad not much larger than last season’s, injuries could quickly ravage their thin squad. Doubts remain over Leeds’ two main strikers, Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford. If they can deliver goals on a weekly basis, then that is another of last season’s problems eradicated.
It also must be noted that Leeds have not adequately replaced Pontus Jansson. They signed Ben White on loan from Brighton, but he has never played at this level. Jansson was a key figure for past few seasons, and a leader such as he needs adequate replacement if Leeds are to push through the long 46-game slog. With much of the squad from last season still intact, Marcelo Bielsa will have had even more time to instil his philosophy. This could stand Leeds in good stead for the 2019/20 season.
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