Marcelo Bielsa has taken the world by storm with his unique style of play, intensity and ability to develop relatively unknown players into world-beaters.
He has this great ability to bring out the untapped potential from his players and cultivate, but the main question remains ‘Will they be able to survive the intensity of the premier league amongst the big boys of England?’
Along with Bielsa another essential part of the Leeds project is the sporting director Victor Ortor, who has also been linked with RB Leipzig. He gathers all the data and reports and gives them to Bielsa, and then they decide upon the transfers.
There are certain positions such as a creative attacking player, a centre back and a striker where I feel that Leeds can improve their squad.
Ben White has proven to be an amazing fit in this squad, and his ability on the ball perfectly epitomizes what Bielsa demands of his players. While Bielsa and the entire team at Leeds are desperately trying to keep him at the club, it doesn’t look like he is going to be there for very long.
Mads Juel Andersen who is very young and promising at the age of twenty-two, could be a great replacement but one fact that may be a significant hindrance is that he plays for local rivals Barnsley. Apart from that, he has the most interceptions per 90 in the championship this season, spots danger very well and has very good aerial ability.
Another option can be the young Juan foyth of Tottenham with his intelligent and proactive play, and good passing range and Bielsa can be the perfect manager to develop his talent. Joe Rondon of Swansea is again a great choice at twenty-two, who is a perfect ball-playing defender for Bielsa.
In terms of a creative attacking player Pablo Hernandez has been a great player but at thirty-five it seems like a replacement is the best way forward especially with the change in the quality and intensity from the championship to the premier league.
One of the few options that seem like a suitable like for like replacement is Emi Buendia of Norwich, and this transfer rumour has also been in the market for a long time especially with Norwich getting related to the championship. Another backup option can be the young and talented Harry Wilson who could be cultivated into something great plus getting some game time in the current Liverpool squad doesn’t seem that imminent and this could be a lucrative move for him.
Another place where they can do with some more options is in the striking department. Bielsa has always loved someone who can Score, press and at the same time create space for the other players in the team. Ollie Watkins from Brentford seems like a really great player with 25 goals in his last season. Plus Brentford has a pressing game which will make it much easier for him to adapt at Leeds.
Rafael Santos Borre from River Plate could be another option. He does have some credibility with 12 goals and 2 assists in just 24 games. Still, the premier league is a different ball game, and this seems really unlikely even though he is very hard working.
Bielsa has had a wonderful time and has reinvigorated this team and brought them to the top tier after a long hiatus. Let us now see if Leeds united lives up to all of the promises that they have shown us, especially with their unique and attacking style of football. Let us see if El Loco can make an impact here.
