, Leeds United summer strategy set – must improve on last year

Leeds United summer strategy set – must improve on last year

Whilst Leeds United fans must be happy at last season, they also must be realistic in that they achieved what they did largely on the back of the tactical and coaching nous of Marcelo Bielsa.

That is not to, by any way, belittle the efforts of the players and the part that they played in the football that gave fans hope and saw the Whites push to the edges of promotion. Those players, urged on by Bielsa and hordes of expectant fans, pushed and fought for every inch and every advantage.

Every one of them, when asked, put themselves forward and put a marker down for the cause. They should be lauded for that, and urged to do the same again this coming season, a season that begins now.

Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new deal, that alone will give fans hope. Yet, it is an inked deal that has been signed in full awareness that it is not to be a summer of wastefulness and throwing the chequebook around with abandon. It is best summed up by Adam Pope’s tweet (below):

For many the key words used by Popey are “realistic about the transfer policy” and “the loan market will be a key part of the club’s recruitment strategy.” That all goes to illustrate club owner Andrea Radrizzani’s caveat not so long ago that Leeds United were to run what he termed a “difficult” window.

In fairness, fans won’t have a problem with what BBC Radio Leeds presenter Adam Pope has relayed. That is, just so long as things are done right.

Learning from mistakes – a new summer with added focus

In all honesty, the loan system utilised by Leeds United last season cost them money and was largely a waste. Out of all the players who were brought in on a temporary deal, only Manchester City winger Jack Harrison was worth the time he spent at Elland Road.

The 22-year-old featured in 37 of Leeds’ regular Championship games, both play-off semi-final games and all the cup games. He scored four goals and added three assists. He impressed Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentinian wanting him back at Elland Road next season.

Of the others who came on loan, well it didn’t really work out as planned. The powers that be in the player recruitment department seemed to stick a pin in the map and go ‘Right, let’s see what we can tap Chelsea up for!’ That strategy brought three young Blues to Elland Road.

Of that trio, only Lewis Baker made an impact at Elland Road. He featured in 14 games and provided one assist, yet he was recalled by Chelsea and sent back out to Reading to end his season away from Stamford Bridge.

Giant stopper Blackman only featured in two Carabao Cup games for Leeds, conceding three times in total in a win against Bolton (2-1) and a defeat to Preston (0-2). He then broke his leg in an Under-23 fixture and headed back to the Bridge.

It was the opposite for Brown, who Leeds brought in with a serious injury, nurtured back to match fitness and appearances with the Under-23s, before giving him just nine minutes of Championship action.

It’s the last three that Leeds United need to avoid when they start to look at players to bring in on loan next season. Look at what Derby County did, what Aston Villa did. They brought in top-drawer loan players and used them across the season. That’s what the Whites need to do, as 75% of their loan dealing last season could be classed as wasted.

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