Can Leeds Challenge for Europe?
Europe?! The top six? Bold statement I know, especially as Leeds United are enjoying their first season back in the Premier League in over one and a half decades. However, the club's ambitions in the transfer market signals ambitions above just survival and the team have been a breath of fresh air for the league with their no fear approach that has served them so well since Marcelo Bielsa's arrival. So much so that Leeds find themselves in the strange situation of being most people's 'second team'. Here's ten reasons why Leeds can aim for the stars and upset the apple cart by breaking into the top six in their return to the top flight.
1) The winning Habit - we've been a dominant team for two years
Winning - like losing - can become a habit in football. For the past two years Leeds have been used to being a dominant team in the Championship, expecting to win almost every game they play. Six straight wins secured promotion and the league title at the end of last season. Liverpool on the opening day expectantly broke that cycle but only after Leeds went punch for punch for twelve rounds (87 minutes) and has since been followed up with back to back wins over Fulham and Sheffield United and Fulham and a fantastic draw against Manchester City. Leeds will go for the win in every game and they have that special knack of winning games
2) Clear way of play and well drilled
A team identity is important in the Premier League. Leeds have already come up against the best two sides in the league and not altered their style of play and have found they can get rewards for doing so with the point against Man City. Even at this level, perhaps except maybe Liverpool, it is very difficult to see a team that is so well drilled and that their roles are almost second nature as Leeds United's players are, the bulk of which have been with Bielsa for all of his 105 games to date.
3) Marcelo Bielsa
An article stating ten reasons why Leeds could challenge for promotion from the Championship would of been very tough to write 3 years ago. The man that has turned water in wine in West Yorkshire is reason enough why United aren't back in the Premier League just to make up the numbers. We are living in special times under this man. It is also hard to believe their will be a harder working manager and a better prepared team in the league
4) Goals from over the pitch now
For a team that attacks as relentlessly as Leeds do it's a surprise that putting the ball in the back of the net was a concern at times last season. The burden was put almost solely on Patrick Bamford's shoulders in the past but it seems that goals are coming from all angles this season and that will help Leeds no end. Bamford has started the season on fire with goals in each of the three opening league games but also on the score sheet have been Helder Costa (2), Jack Harrison, Mateusz Klich (2), Gianni Alioski and record signing Rodrigo has opened his account with the first of hopefully many against Man City last time
out. With Pablo Hernandez set to return and the acquisition of Raphina on deadline day, goals shouldn't be a problem for the whites.
5) No european games or Carabao cup
Thanks to the quick turnaround after belatedly finishing the previous season, 2020/21 will be the shortest and most condensed football season in history. Many of the teams that will be naturally challenging for Europe next season will have their own European commitments squeezed into this already tight schedule. Also, Leeds's interest in the Carabao cup ended in the second round so therefore we have already played two games less than many of our Premier League rivals and up to a few less to come.
6) No fixture congestion
In close relation to the previous point, Leedwill welcome the less punishing schedule of the Premier League as opposed to the 46 game slog they are accustomed to in the Championship. There will be hardly any midweek games so even more time for Bielsa and his staff to dissect every possible permutation in the games to come and will help Leeds preparation. The much talked about 'Bielsa Burnout' shouldn't be a factor either. Even if Leeds make the FA Cup final, they will still play less games than the 49 they played last season.
7) Teams won't sit back against us
In the past two seasons some of United's best performances have come against those teams that opt for a more open and expansive style of play (e.g. West Brom at home 18/19) whereas they sometimes came unstuck against ultra defensive teams (e.g Wigan at home in each of the past two seasons). The Premier League has already seen record breaking match days for scoring this season and most teams opt to attack and have a go rather than simply sit back unless they are up a Liverpool or Man City. With Leeds being a newly promoted side it's difficult to envisage too many teams parking the bus against Leeds which will suit their counter attacking talents down to the ground.
8) No difficult away crowds
There were some grounds that Leeds just loathed to visit during the 16 year stay in the EFL where the atmosphere was turbo charged on the adrenaline of hosting and often beating Leeds United. The Den at Millwall was often an I forgiven place where Leeds mostly left empty handed. Nottingham Forest away was rarely a fruitful trip and not was the Cardiff City Stadium (although we even lost behind closed doors their in June). With no crowds or maybe the possibility of smaller socially distanced crowds, there won't be any hostile anti Leeds atmospheres for the players to contend with. However, on the counter argument, we will also lose our twelve man with an empty Elland Road being without the most vociferous crowds in the country.
- 9) It's already a strange season
The quick turnaround from the end of last season, COVID, no fans in the stadium, the later start, the rearranged transfer window. This was always likely to be a season of shocks and strangeness and the opening month hasn't disappointed. Already we have seen Manchester United lose 6-1 at home and Liverpool concede seven to Aston Villa and that was just on the same day! If anything extraordinary is gonna happen it's likely to be this season.
10) Why not Leeds?
Finally, why can't Leeds smash the glass ceiling and qualify for Europe? Only two seasons ago we saw Wolves do just that in their first season back in the Premier League. Only four years ago Leicester City won the bloody league and even Sheffield United missed qualifying by a whisker last season. If Leeds keep up their current form they will average 66.5 points by the end of the season.
So, time will tell what the Premier League has in stall for Leeds United. They have started the season brilliantly but we've only ran the first mile of a marathon. I will still be happy if we sit in 17th place when the season finishes but secretly I believe we can strive for so much more.
By Lawrence O'Sullivan