What Next For Leeds United?
After agonisingly missing out on promotion and the best season in over a decade, this upcoming summer is vital. Leeds United must not stand still, or indeed go backwards as they have done before. So how can they push on and go one better next season? We look at 8 reasons how:
Consistency in the Dug-Out
Needless to say, Marcelo Bielsa has been a revelation. Taking a team that limped to a mid-table finish the previous year with minimal cosmetics in term of incoming signings to a team led the table for large portions of the season is remarkable even for a coach of Bielsa's ilk. Reaching the play-offs was deemed as a disappointment after flirting with the automatic places for the entire season, but it is easily forgotten this was the club's first representation at the post season lottery since promotion back to the championship in 2010. The Argentine's future is still up in the air and there is no denying losing Bielsa will be a massive blow for the whites, but they have a ready-made replacement right under their nose. U23's coach Carlos Corberan duties were doubled last upon Bielsa's arrival as he promoted him to his first-team coaching staff whilst still maintaining his role with the U23's and acting as a bridge between the two. Corberan has been working more closely than anyone with the Head Coach and has been instrumental in translating Bielsa's thoughts to the players as he is fluent in English. When you consider that Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino list themselves as disciples of the former Newell's Old Boy, neither benefited from the apprenticeship Corberan has undertook these past twelve months.
If Bielsa is to be in the dugout for the opening game in August, he will become the first manager to do so for two consecutive seasons since Simon Grayson in 2011-12. Swapping and changing has done nothing for Leeds with their 15 different managers since relegation from the Premier League in 2004. For the first time since those heady days it seems Leeds have a clear and successful identity. Be it with the Master, Bielsa or the apprentice, Corberan consistency is key for the club next term.
Youth is the Way
"This will be a difficult transfer window, but we have a great academy", stated owner Andrea Radrizzani in a recent interview. United's academy has been famed for developing the likes of Milner, Lennon, Delph, Rose and most recently Lewis Cook who have gone on to represent England. And now the Thorp Arch conveyer belt Is continuing to roll and with Leeds currently unable to keep up with the number of teams receiving parachute payments from the Premier League, the academy is a very important asset. Leed's already thin squad was decimated by injuries and suspensions last season and without the input from numerous academy graduates making the step up with distinction, the team wouldn't have been challenging for promotion. Not once all season did Marcelo Bielsa have a fully fit and available squad to choose from. Jamie Shackleton and Jack Clarke are the ones who caught the eye but also making their League debuts were Leif Davis, Aalpo Halme, Jordan Stevens, Will Huffer alongside Clarke Odour and Kun Temenuzhkov who made their bow in the FA Cup defeat at QPR.
Under Radrizzani's ownership the U23 side was heavily invested in by Director of Football Victor Orta with the number of signings coming through the academy training pitches resembling a crowded festival field becoming a running joke amongst fans. But it was an area of the club so neglected under Massimo Cellino's previous stewardship that it needed doing. So, who next is set to take the step up to the Championship? Malik Wilks has had a fantastic season on loan at Doncaster Rovers last season and man mountain Ryan Edmondson has been banging them in for the U23's. With only two recognised out and out strikers on the first team books both could be looking to make a sizeable contribution next season. Also, Leeds beat off stiff competition from numerous clubs to sign Polish U21 international Mateusz Boguz in January and is hotly tipped to make his debut before too long.
Jamie Shackleton has shown great class and maturity when called upon last season in central midfield and full back, none more so than in the Play-Off Semi Final 1st leg win at Pride Park. Jack Clarke has been mercurial before his illness that hospitalised the 18-year-old during the game at The Riverside against Middlesbrough and although not an academy graduate Tyler Roberts proved his worth in his first full season. Add to that Bailey Peacock-Farrell who has established himself as Northern Ireland's first choice goalkeeper and owner of the number 1 shirt at Leeds and the squad has a fine nucleus of youth to build upon.
Keep Kalvin Phillips and Build the Team Around Him
A year ago, many fans would have been happy to see the back of him. Somewhat of an enigma before, flashes of ability, the odd wonder goal and obvious passion for badge was cancelled out by a naivety in his play that led to errors and moments of stupidity such as red cards at Brighton and Fulham in 16/17 which led to a vital two points being dropped against a play-off rival. Last season he was a totally different player, one of many reformed under Bielsa's coaching but perhaps no one quite so much. Instead of his usual advanced central midfield role he was used a 'Pivote' the fancy name given to the holding midfielder who links the defence to the midfield. With Leeds opting to play from the back Phillips's composure was immense and the errors from his game almost erased from before except for his desperate lunge after a heavy touch which led to a red card v Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day. His footballing vocabulary was improved by playing as an orthodox centre back in a spell which saw Berardi, Cooper and Jansson unavailable respectively. Couple that with Phillip's role of dropping in as a third centre back normally in-between Cooper and Jansson when the full backs push forward in attacks and he may have found his niche position as a footballer. It is no surprise that the Premier League vultures are sniffing around and there's even rumours he is attracting the attention of a certain Gareth Southgate. Kalvin Phillips' rise from enigma to the 'Yorkshire Pirlo' has been pivotal in Leeds's exciting campaign and he is destined for the Premier League, hopefully that will be with Leeds United.
Squad Depth and Rotation
Bielsa stated he likes a small squad of 18 senior players and to promote 4 players from the youth system during a season. However, he could not of predicted the sheer bad luck on the injury front this season. Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi, Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Barry Douglas, Liam Cooper and Izzy Brown were amongst those who were likely to be regular starters who had to face extended spells on the side-lines. Only Mateusz Klich started all 46 league games plus the play offs and Ezgijan Alioski made it to game 44 before an injury in the early stages at Brentford ended his season. The job club Physio Rob Price did to get all these apart from Brown playing a sizeable chunk of the season is to be commended.
It is unlikely the frequency of injuries suffered this past season will repeat itself next, but what it has highlighted is a bigger squad is needed for the marathon of a Championship season. Many players plugged gaps by playing in numerous roles last season. Examples of players fulfilling roles not natural to their own are, Phillips (centre-back), Berardi (Centre-back), Harrison (Striker) and errm Pontus Jansson (Goalkeeper).
Bielsa's troops were decimated through the unforeseen departures of Samuel Saiz and Lewis Baker at the mid-way point of the season and no outfield players were brought in over the January window after the signing of Dan James from Swansea fell through at the last minute.
There have been numerous occasions when academy players have had to fill the spaces on the substitutes bench. For the Play-off semi-final first leg the entire bench apart from the on-loan Brown were from the academy and three of which had never made an appearance before. To have so many senior players for a game of this magnitude was worrying.
Injuries and suspensions never allowed Bielsa to name a consistent team over a period of time until the run when the same team was named for 9 games in a row from Bolton (H) until Preston (A) with the exception of Peacock-Farell replacing the suspended Casilla in the home game against Millwall. However, as the relentless nature of this league and the pressure of the run in gave the Leeds side some alarm bells Bielsa was criticized for not rotating the squad. Dean Ashton said after United's 3-2 reverse to bottom side Ipswich on the final day that he didn't think the head coach "used his squad as well as he could of done in the (final) period of games" which led to a loss of confidence in the squad.
Finally, on this matter, after defeat to Brentford that all but ended the side's automatic promotion hopes, Bielsa interestingly revealed he didn't think this side can replicate the level of consistency shown this season. "Not one single player on our team would reproduce the performances this constant in another season...they have given everything". A plea for the board to strengthen the squad or an admission that this season was a one off?
Fingers crossed for some better luck with injuries next season a few fresh faces through the door and strengthen appropriately if in a similar position next January.
Use Pablo Hernandez Wisely
This is one of the hardest dilemmas to make regarding the Leeds side. It is obvious that Pablo Hernandez is the most creative, talented and experienced player Leeds can boast. However, the Spanish wizard turns 35 next season and despite being a frequent starter it raises the question if his legs will sustain another gruelling 46+ game Championship season, especially at the intensity demanded with Bielsa's playing philosophy. Without Hernandez, Leeds are far less creative, but his game time may need to be managed appropriately in order to get the best out of him when needed. His best performance came in the home win over Millwall last season when entering the final stretch of the season he scored a first half equaliser and a late winner to earn a then vital three points. However, going into the final league games and Play-Offs, although by no means were his performances poor but somewhat lacked that bit of magic that could have got his team over the line. Leeds also need to find a way to win without him. After an electric start to the season Leeds won only 2 of the next 7 league games without him. A vital part of the Leeds team yet needs to be managed carefully.
Make Good Use of the Premier League Loan Market
Leeds's lack of financial clout since relegation from the premier league has led to them dipping into the loan market over an excessive 100 times. Of those only a small few have made an impact. Max Gradel, Pontus Jansson and Pablo Hernandez are the prime of examples who made a good impression and continued to do so after signing on the dotted line permanently. Also, Kyle Bartley's one year stay two years ago was very productive.
Going into this season, the club's transfer policy has been clear for a long time now. If players are to come in, funds must be raised by players being sold. With millions being brandished about like monopoly money in the Premier League there is some terrific young talent waiting for a loan to seek much needed game time in this telling part of their careers as well as established players that have found themselves further down the pecking order at their club. Tammy Abraham, Harry Wilson, Dwight Gale and Reece James all had terrific seasons at Aston Villa, West Brom, Derby and Wigan respectively. Although West Brom also saw the flip side of this approach when Leicester City recalled Harvey Barnes who was a key player for the Baggies in the opening half of the season and they couldn't replace him and ultimately fell short of challenging for automatic promotion.
Leeds did dip into the Premier League loan market last season signing. Jamaal Blackman, Izzy Brown and Lewis Baker were signed from Chelsea, but the former two's seasons were blighted by injuries and Lewis Baker left for Reading in January after failing to make an impact at LS11. Jack Harrison was from Manchester City was the most profitable loan forcing his way into what became Bielsa's default 11 towards the end of the season although it is unlikely the club will pursue his services permanently. Shrewder business will be needed this summer by the board.
Take Your Chances
If Leeds had improved the conversion rate of goals from chances, they would be a Premier League club right now. Leeds boasted the most shots on goal per game the most ball possession of all 24 teams and only one team had a better record for completed passes. Yet Leeds ranked 5th for goals scored and netted 20 times less than champions Norwich. Bielsa stated this as "the summary of our season, many chances to score compared to the goals we actually scored" after the telling defeat to Brentford on Easter Monday.
An indifferent and steady start to the Season Might Not Be a Bad Thing
United have started the past two seasons like a house on fire. Opening day victories led to unbeaten starts going into September propelling them to the top of the table and become the last remaining to team to suffer defeat each time. However, with this early season success, expectations are raised, and it is very difficult to keep up that relentless pace over a 46-game season. Especially at a club such as Leeds were the fan base can be very demanding and the media scrutiny is intensified as we found out during the 'Spygate' saga last January. Last season's champions Norwich were already 9 points behind when Leeds left Carrow Road having reached the summit in August and on Boxing Day Sheffield United found themselves 10 points adrift of Leeds yet still pipped them to automatic promotion by six points. The Championship is a marathon not a sprint and sometimes going under the radar isn't a bad thing.