Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds will strike gold if Bielsa can land 28-cap int’l this summer, club could sell him – SL View
Ajax chief Marc Overmars recently gave a hint about their summer transfer plans. The Dutch giants have once again asserted their domestic dominance by securing a league and cup double. However, due to the pandemic, clubs worldwide are struggling financially, and Ajax are no exception to such a situation. Ajax have sold the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie De Jong in recent years, and Overmars has hinted that two more first-team stars could leave this summer. Speaking to Dutch magazine Voetbal International (via the Express), Overmars said: “A departure for Nicolas Tagliafico and David Neres would not be illogical.” Leeds United should take a keen interest if Tagliafico is made available. Phil Hay, the Athletic journalist, claimed l...
‘Very close’: Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Brighton vs Leeds
Leeds United will travel to Amex Stadium to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday. Former Liverpool defender turned popular football pundit, Mark Lawrenson, has predicted a 2-1 victory for Leeds. The last time when the two sides met, Brighton won 1-0 at Elland Road. Lawrenson has suggested that it will be another close contest. However, he thinks Leeds will emerge victorious. He told BBC Sport: “I watched Brighton win at Elland Road in January and I’d argue the Seagulls haven’t played better than that very often this season. “Graham Potter’s side stood up to Leeds that day, and in the end they won comfortably – although typically they only scored once. “This time, I think it is going to be very close.” Leeds have done exceedingly well under Marcelo Bielsa in...
Leeds United in April: Unbeaten, unexpected Premier League windfall and summer transfer targets
Leeds United have had an impressive return to the Premier League after 16 years, and they are in line for a top half of the table finish after an unbeaten run in April 2021. Unbeaten run: The Yorkshire outfit restarted the proceedings after the international break with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Elland Road. They had a tough schedule thereon with Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United to face, but they have come out with flying colours. The 2-1 victory over City with 10 men was undoubtedly their best result of the season, but they will be equally pleased with draws against Liverpool and United. While Leeds were flourishing going forward earlier this term, there was some criticism from the neutrals over their vulnerability at the back. They have made a vast improvement...
Pep Guardiola: Why I respect Marcelo Bielsa’s coaching ideas
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has said the best way to judge Marcelo Bielsa is how he makes players and teams better. City meet Bielsa’s Leeds this weekend. “His teams are always better than before his arrival. You see his influence. he doesn’t need much time to realise his own team, it belongs absolutely to him and for world football it is a joy,” Guardiola said. “A guy who respects the opponent, who plays for the fans, who just wants to play for a victory home or away and convinces the players to follow him. I recognise the best because people say he doesn’t win titles but give him Manchester City and he will win titles. “It depends on the players you have but the players he has are always better players. That is the best proof of when a manager is good.” Get more stories like thi...
Predicted Leeds starting XI: Bielsa to make two changes; 27-year-old set to return
Leeds United will travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday. The Whites are heading into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Sheffield United last week. However, they are up against Pep Guardiola’s Man City who sit 14 points clear at the top of the table. Marcelo Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Leeds have no fresh injury worries. However, the Whites will be without Jack Harrison who is ineligible to play, as per the conditions of his loan agreement from City. Ezgjan Alioski and Helder Costa and the most likely option down the left. And yet, Alioski has not fared well as a full-back against top sides, while it will be a massive gamble to put him up against the likes of Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and...
Predicted Leeds starting XI: Bielsa to make just one change, 29-year-old dropped
Leeds United will face Sheffield United in the Premier League at Elland Road on Saturday. The Premier League returns this week, and Leeds are set to welcome a familiar face at Elland Road. Paul Heckingbottom, whose 16-month spell at Leeds ended in 2018, is now the caretaker boss at Sheffield following the departure of Chris Wilder. Leeds have all-but assured their place in next season’s Premier League, but Marcelo Bielsa will be aiming for more. A top-half finish should be their aim, and it is well within their reach. In defence, Bielsa will welcome skipper Liam Cooper, who is back in training after missing the last few games through illness. Mateusz Klich is doubtful as he is currently undergoing the COVID-19 protocol following his positive test while on Poland duty. ...
‘The numbers can’t be wild’: Phil Hay makes exciting Leeds summer transfer claim
Phil Hay of The Athletic, who is arguably the best journalist around covering Leeds United, has made an exciting transfer claim and the Whites fans will love it. Leeds have done really well in their first season in the Premier League after getting promoted, and they are aiming to get into the top half of the table. Marcelo Bielsa is respected by everyone at Leeds, and club owner Andrea Radrizzani makes sure that the Argentine boss receives adequate support to build his squad. Leeds made some eye-catching transfers in the summer with the club signing players like Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Rodrigo and Raphinha. Radrizzani claimed last summer that he plans to make Leeds a powerhouse in the Premier League, but he wants to take a cautious approach. Leeds are expected to invest again in the su...
‘Very dangerous’: Bielsa raves about Leeds player; drops hint about summer transfer plans
Marcelo Bielsa has dropped a hint that he may not look to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window. Leeds United have been heavily reliant on Patrick Bamford, and there are suggestions that Bielsa should look to add more quality in the forward department. However, the Argentine claims that he is happy with the attacking force he has got at the moment and has played down Leeds’ need to sign a new striker. Bielsa said, as quoted by The Mirror: “Tyler Roberts, Bamford and Rodrigo can all play as a centre-forward and Rodrigo and Tyler can also play behind the centre-forward. “They are all options, and throughout different stages of the campaign, they have given positive responses.” Leeds signed Rodrigo from Valencia for a club-record £26 million, but the Spaniard has mostly played in t...
Predicted Leeds starting XI vs Chelsea: Bielsa to make two changes; 24-year-old returns
Leeds will face Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Elland Road on Saturday. Ahead of the match, Bielsa delivered some positive injury news in his pre-match press conference. Summer signing Robin Koch has returned to training and it won’t be long before he gets back in the starting line-up. Gaetano Berardi is back amongst matchday squads, while Jamie Shackleton has been cleared to feature. Only Pascal Struijk and Pablo Hernandez are absent from this game. The Whites are going through a poor run of form having managed just one win in their last five games, losing the other four. However, if you observe carefully, the results do not give the proper picture. Leeds were dominant in most of their games but they weren’t just clinical enough. The defence looks pretty settled at the moment, wit...
‘One of the best’: Bielsa drools over ‘very good’ Leeds player vs West Ham
Marcelo Bielsa showered heaps of praise on midfielder Kalvin Phillips in his post-match press conference after Leeds United lost 2-0 against West Ham United. Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson scored for the Hammers as they moved up to fifth in the Premier League table. Leeds played in their usual relentless style, and Bielsa was left disappointed that they failed to score despite dominating the match for a long period. The Whites looked fresh after getting a nine-day break since their 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa and welcomed back Phillips from injury. Bielsa said after the match that the England midfielder added balance to the side and was one of the best players on the pitch. Bielsa, as quoted by Leeds Live, said: “Very good. It’s very difficult to play the way Kalvin played today after h...
Acid test: What can Leeds expect from their next seven games?
With four defeats in their last six Premier League games, it’s fair to conclude that Leeds United aren’t in the best of form at the moment. While the form of Raphinha has been encouraging, the loss of Kalvin Phillips means there’s an imbalance in the side. Leeds aren’t the same without him, and they need him badly with the Whites about to enter their toughest phase of the season. Leeds find themselves 11th in the Premier League table, and they have done a remarkable job so far under Marcelo Bielsa. A strong run from here on and European qualification isn’t completely out of the question. However, the next seven games pose Leeds’ biggest challenge in the league, and they need to get back to winning ways. a) West Ham United (A) – Leeds lost 2-1 at home in the corresponding fixture. With the ...
Bielsa reveals what he told £20m Villa player after the match
Leeds United lost 1-0 against Aston Villa in the Premier League at Elland Road on Saturday. Before the match started, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was seen chatting with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. In the post-match press conference, when Bielsa was asked to comment what he said to Martinez, the Leeds boss replied (h/t Leeds Live): “We just said hello. We’re compatriots.” Martinez, who joined in the summer transfer window from Arsenal for a fee in the region of £20 million, has been simply outstanding for Villa this season. The Argentine wasn’t forced to make enough saves during the game against Leeds, but he did well enough to make his presence felt. SL View – Different view from Bielsa Leeds didn’t create enough clear-cut chances, while Villa did well to frustrate them after ta...
