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Since his appointment as Leeds United manager in the summer, Marcelo Bielsa has masterminded a remarkable turnaround in fortunes at Elland Road. Despite having made relatively few signings, whilst relying heavily on young and inexperienced players to fill out his squad, the Argentine coach has taken the Whites to the upper reaches of the Championship table.
Leeds are currently in the thick of the title hunt, along with Norwich City and Sheffield United. Considering they finished 13th last season, with largely the same group of players as they have now, their current success must be considered as a massive achievement.
If Leeds keep this current form up and achieve automatic promotion to the top flight then it will be a major triumph for the Yorkshire club. However, are they ready to make that big step up?
Of course all promoted sides strengthen in the summer to ensure that they’re equipped for the quality and intensity of the Premier League, but some clubs have more work to do than others to make this transition a successful one.
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As for Leeds, if they were to win promotion this season, there would have to be some changes instigated in the summer to ensure that they were ready to handle the top tier.
Adding depth
So far this season, Bielsa has only used 27 players in the Championship, as per Transfermarkt’s records. His squad also has an average age of just 25.6 years. Teenagers such as Jamie Shackleton, Jack Clarke, Leif Davis, and 20-year-old Tyler Roberts have all featured for the first team this season.
Whilst each of these exciting young prospects have earned the right to be in Bielsa’s plans, and deserve the chance to test themselves in the Premier League next season, Leeds need to have greater strength in depth.
It is vital that the Whites add some experienced operators this summer, who know what it takes to thrive in the top flight. Leeds’ current squad certainly can’t be considered ready for the challenge of the upper tier as it stands.
Tactical versatility
Bielsa has introduced aggressive, intense, free-flowing, scintillating football to Elland Road. His side are a remarkably cohesive, hard working and well organised group. However, they still play a risky game which can leave them exposed defensively.
In the Premier League, against top quality opposition, this high-pressing style of play could prove to be Leeds’ undoing. Having a more conservative, defensively-minded tactic to fall back on as a plan B could be crucial to survival in the top division.
At the moment, Leeds only have one way of playing. If they succeed in their campaign for promotion this season then that tactical inflexibility will have to be addressed ahead of the new season.
Keeping the quality they have
The fact that the Whites are performing so well in the Championship is proof that they’re close to being of Premier League quality. There is some real talent in the squad. The likes of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, centre-backs Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper, midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich, and attackers Jack Clarke, Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe all have the capacity to thrive in the top flight.
Leeds must ensure that they retain that talent and then build smartly around it. The other thing that the club already have of elite quality is their manager, Bielsa. The 63-year-old is an innovative and inspiring coach. If anyone can make sure Leeds are able to compete in the Premier League next season then it is him.
Elland Road is a huge stadium, the club have a vast and passionate fanbase, Leeds have history and prestige. They are close to an overdue return to the top flight now, and they’re nearly ready to make that leap. Just a few issues would have to be addressed in the summer to ensure that the Whites can cope in the Premier League.