Let’s make no bones about this, let’s be unequivocal! Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at Elland Road has invigorated Leeds United to the degree that they rightly sit at the top of the Championship pile.
The Whites haven’t only just gained a manager and his entourage in signing up Argentinian Bielsa, no they have also been gifted a whole footballing ethos and brand new way of doing things.
Bielsa’s arrival, and his insistence that it is his way or la autopista, has seen a trademark approach to football stamped on the West Yorkshire club. It is a stamping that is bearing fruit, and it is one that has been brought about by largely last season’s ‘failures’ augmented by some youngsters, prudent loan deals and a smattering of permanent signings.
Yet, according to former Leeds United star David Prutton, this success could very well be the ultimate price that Leeds United will pay. Prutton, talking to Express Sport, says that it could very well herald the arrival of unwanted attention from the Premier League.
Prutton arrows in on one team in particular, saying that struggling Southampton will be a side that could very well have Bielsa in their sights. With Saints struggling at the wrong end of the table, Prutton thinks that the Whites’ hold on Bielsa could be a little more tenuous.
Citing the precarious position of Saints boss Mark Hughes, then going on to comment in more general terms, Prutton goes on to say: “I think if you are struggling a Premier League side that wants four to five months of head down and over the line to maintain your Premier League status then what they’ve seen from Bielsa would make him a cracking shout.”
If Hughes fails to right the listing and struggling south coast side, Prutton thinks that the Saints, and others, could come a-calling for Bielsa. Such is the Argentinian’s reputation, former Leeds United midfielder Prutton says that: “But I think if you are one of those Premier League sides who aren’t too sure about your manager, then you start mentioning Bielsa’s name extremely loudly come Christmas.”
