Marcelo Bielsa, Manchester United and Liverpool transfer target Raphinha, and family values – what Leeds have brought to the Premier League

With 10 games to go of the Premier League season, Leeds United are all-but set for a second campaign in the top-flight.

Their return to the division they left in 2004, beset by financial difficulties which would take them years to recover from, has been inspired and demons are being exorcised along the way.

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A mid-table finish would be a fine first effort under Marcelo Bielsa, especially given their squad still has many of the players who were at the club when he joined in 2018.

It’s not been perfect, and the club and fans will be the first to admit that. A 6-2 loss to fierce rivals Manchester United wasn’t ideal, while some Jekyll and Hyde performances leave you wondering which Leeds might turn up to some games.

But the club have been a refreshing addition after their promotion giving us entertainment football and plenty more.

And ahead of their clash with Chelsea, which you can hear live on talkSPORT, we’ve explored the reasons why we’ve loved Leeds and what they have brought to the Premier League.

Marcelo Bielsa

The Argentine’s knees of steel are a medical marvel as he squats his way through Premier League encounters.

Throughout games we see grimaces and scowls, usually when his tactical instructions aren’t followed, while he displays plenty of good nature and charm in interviews.

Previously it felt like Bielsa was a mythical creature, known as an idol to many of the best coaches in the game. We heard tales of ‘El Loco’ but instead of fury and peculiarity, we’ve found a gentleman.

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He has his ‘El Loco’ moments, sure, but he also displays a noble side too and one which we can’t wait to see more of in the Premier League next season.

Leeds fan Nick Elliott adds: “He would rather win 5-4 than 1-0 because he believes football should entertain the fans who pay money to support their club. Unlike some other managers in the league (*cough* Mourinho *cough*) he has no interest in self-promotion and generally shies away from praise. Without fail he always prefers to credit the players after a win and will usually take personal responsibility for any defeats.

“He isn’t perfect and shouldn’t be immune from criticism but he’s one of very few people capable of irrevocably changing how you view football and such characters should be treasured.”

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A new style

Leeds United have thrilled us this season.

Don’t get talkSPORT wrong, there is nothing harmful about defensive football. There is more than one way to skin a cat. But it’s been refreshing to watch a newly-promoted side go toe-to-toe with their established opposition.

We’re expecting more of the same next year and we can’t wait, even if they do bring in more excellent new recruits.

“With the players available, if Leeds tried to set up to frustrate their opponents and maybe sneak a goal on the counterattack they would have fewer points than Sheffield United at this stage of the season,” admits Elliott.

“The system is everything and it’s why we’ve won the same number of the games as Arsenal. Leeds draw their opponents into a shootout where they hope to compensate for their lack of individual quality (Raphinha aside) with a superior intensity. Good teams should be able to expose the weaknesses in such an approach and that’s when you get results like the 6-2 at Old Trafford. But over the course of a season it will ensure survival in the top flight which was Bielsa’s primary objective. We’ve conceded the second-most goals in the league but we’ve scored more goals than the other two promoted teams combined.”
It’s a wild ride and one we want to continue in the Premier League.

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Raphinha

Leeds United signed one of the bargains of the season in the Brazilian winger.

A creative force with exemplary technique, and the ability to dribble his way out of trouble and into dangerous areas, while also applying the all important final touches – £17million seems like a real snip.

Manchester United and Liverpool are monitoring his fine performances but Leeds supporters, like the rest of us, are just enjoying having him around.

“Most fans are still coming to terms with the fact a player of his calibre is playing for Leeds,” said Elliott.

“A lot of our key players this season were regulars when we used to finish 13th in the Championship: Kalvin Phillips, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Liam Cooper, Gjanni Alisoki, etc.

“The juxtaposition of Raphinha – a Brazilian winger who wouldn’t look out of place in the Champions League – among the others is still a novelty in a way.

“Leeds fans haven’t seen anything like that skill he did on Gary Cahill from one of their players in years. Rennes fans got the hashtag #fuckLeeds trending the day we signed him — most Leeds fans understand why now.”

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Family Values

After Leeds United’s 3-0 win over Southampton in February, the players paid tribute to Kalvin Phillips’ grandmother.

Val Crosby, also known as Granny Val, became popular with Leeds supporters after starring in the Amazon Prime documentary, Take Us Home.

It was a lovely moment and reminded us how important families are within the beautiful game.

After the game, Patrick Bamford said: “It’s a tight-knit bunch of lads and anyone who watched the documentary on Amazon saw that Granny Val was a big part of the club indirectly.

“Loads of people have grown to love her without really knowing her. It’s a big loss and that one was for Kalvin and his family.”

Family values are important for the Whites, a point which Elliott reiterates: “Leeds is a one-club city which is partly why there’s such a partisan attitude around the football club. Leeds United is seen as a pillar of the city and the county.

“Every football club is an expression of a local identity to some degree but with Leeds it’s more prominent than most. For many in the local area, supporting Leeds United is a part of family life, even if you don’t actually care much for the sport of football as a whole.”

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You can listen to Leeds United vs Chelsea at 12:30pm on Saturday, live and exclusively on talkSPORT

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