With the 2019/20 Championship season fast approaching, Leeds United go into the new campaign as favourites to win the league outright. Here I take a look at three players who could be the catalyst for tremendous success this season.
Last season the Whites weren’t really in the mix in terms of promotion, with the mess of the season before still lingering, only a couple of new signings and a manager that was unknown in English football but still sparked excitement.
Twelve months on and the remnants of what was ultimately a corner turning season for the Whites, finishing third in the league but falling short in the play-offs, and the West Yorkshire outfit go into the new campaign as favourites for the top spot.
With rumours of signings imminent, I want to look at three existing players that could have a humongous impact for Leeds this coming season…
1. Patrick Bamford
The former Chelsea man has undoubted quality, but a mixture of bad injuries and a huge lack of confidence hindered the player last season, culminating in him being one of the most wasteful predators in the Championship. However, should he get a full pre-season under the influential Marcelo Bielsa and steer clear of any injury set backs, I believe he could end up being the divisions top scorer and also be a massive cog in the Leeds United promotion machine.
2. Barry Douglas
The ex-Wolves man again has undoubted quality, being part of a Wolves first team that tor the Championship apart two years ago, being the top assist maker in the league. But as with Bamford, a serious knee injury scuppered a great start at life in Leeds for Douglas. Now back in full training and looking to win a place back in the starting eleven, his assists and dead ball mastery could be priceless in helping the club achieve their ultimate goal.
3. Kiko Casilla
You don’t stay part of a Real Madrid squad for as long as Casilla did without possessing real talent, but a bad end to last season has Leeds fans questioning the Spaniards ability. I believe though, with the adaption to English football, a full pre-season under Bielsa and a better, closer relationship with his back four could yield a completely different beast for Leeds next season. Lets hope this is the case.
Should the three players above meet the potential that they certainly have, it could be a Championship masterclass by Leeds next season, obviously needing the performance of the other players to be up there at last years standards also.
Could it be Leeds United’s year?
