Leeds United fans expect the highest of standards from their team when they pull on the famous white shirt – especially after they were blessed with the quick, slick passing football they got when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge.
The Argentine was seen as a God-like figure to supporters as he single-handedly clawed them back into the top division after 16 years in the shadows. The 67-year-old grew the team, fanbase and city all together again as Leeds went up as champions from the Championship in the 2019/20 season. The bond between Bielsa and Leeds fans now is unbreakable, and he’ll will go down as legend of the club – despite being sacked. When he was replaced with the unknown head coach Jesse Marsch, the American had the weight of the Elland Road faithful on his shoulders.
The 48-year-old was a Red Bull prodigy as he coached New York, Salzburg and Leipzig all under the brand’s umbrella. The American was summoned with 10 games remaining of last season to keep Leeds in the Premier League, he had a mountain to climb and not just with keeping the Whites in the top-flight. Some would say it would be more difficult to win over the Leeds support than keep his side in the top-flight. To say he didn’t win the fans over at the start would be an understatement.
Tough start
During his second game in charge, rings of ‘Marcelo Bielsa’ flooded the Elland Road stand as Aston Villa tore a dismal Leeds side apart. Fast forward to their final game and Marsch completed his mission as the Yorkshire side avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth. Huge sighs of relief bellowed from the away fans at the then-Brentford Community Stadium after a 2-1 win in west London.
The fans from LS11 were frustrated and angered how the season played out considering they had secured a top-half finish in their first season back in the Premier League just 12 months prior.
Heavy investment
Something big had to happen over the summer with signings essential. The slate was wiped clean and Marsch has had a fresh start. With the departure of the two vital players in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha moving on, money had to be spent. With nearly £100million spent, Marsch and owner Andrea Radrizzani are not taking any chances of flirting with the threat of relegation again.
They splashed the cash on two American internationals – Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams – in the midfield alongside Marc Roca from Bayern Munich. They signed Rasmus Kristensen from Marsch’s old side RB Salzburg as their new right back. They also bought Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord as a replacement for the departed Brazilian Raphinha.
Unbeaten start to the Premier League
After the first two games of the 2022-23 season, Leeds have claimed four points with a 2-1 win against Wolves at home and a 2-2 draw at Southampton. With the points, there has been some attractive football to keep fans on the edge of their seat. Rodrigo is the top scorer in the Premier League with three goals and winger Jack Harrison has created the most big chances (three).
After having a full summer with new signings, Marsch has drilled his style of play into the team. Leeds fans are starting to see Marsch’s real style of football as last campaign he just had to get the points to keep the Yorkshire side in the league.
Early signs of promise
Aaronson is a new fan favourite and is showing signs of replicating being able to replace former Leeds hero Pablo Hernandez who was labelled as ‘El Mago’ (The Magician). The former Leipzig player is vital to the Marsch’s system as he helps flow the ball well and is like a Jack Russell hassling defenders for the ball when out of possession.
It finally seems like previous record signing Rodrigo has settled into the side after two full seasons of mixed performances. The Spain international netted eight times in pre-season and has already scored three in his first two matches of the season.
Against Southampton, hints of the fast-flowing play that Bielsa drilled into the players appeared. Adams and Roca sat in front of the defence and disrupted the ball well. Full backs Pascal Struijk and Kristensen bombed forward from full back when attacking to help add width and get the ball to the touchline. Marsch’s side are terrific at turning defence into attack as Leeds shirts flood forward.
Centre back Robin Koch will be instrumental to the Whites in defence with his aerial ability and defensive prowess. The German international has been injury hit in his Leeds career so far and played in unfamiliar positions under Bielsa. A string of games in defence will help add confidence into his game.
High tempo and exiting football will be played on Elland Road’s turf this campaign after a lack of identity when Marsch first came in.
Room for improvement
However, he hasn’t cracked the code yet. Leeds dominated the play but let a two-goal lead slip in the 2-2 draw at St. Mary’s on August 13. The Whites’ backline couldn’t deal with the front three that Southampton assembled after Leeds went 2-0 up.
The goals scored by the home side were like the ones conceded under the Bielsa regime: too easy. Leeds’ Achilles heel with the full backs bombing forward seen too many times last campaign – happened once again on the south coast. This is something to work and improve on as this could hinder the Yorkshire side’s progress in the league.
By Jack Bunclark
