Bielsa’s approach to transfers in 2017 may excite Leeds fans, even if results were lacking

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa will be expecting new signings this summer.

Leeds United are in the market for new signings this summer, and Marcelo Bielsa will expect to be backed with considerable funds.

The Whites pounced to make Bielsa their new manager in a blockbuster deal on Friday, with the Argentinian taking his first steps into English football.

The 62-year-old won’t have taken the job without being promised major backing in the transfer market, and a look at his deals with Lille last summer may offer an insight into what Leeds fans can expect.

When Bielsa arrived at Lille, he set about moving on from experienced, ageing players. 30-year-olds Julian Palmieri and Eric Bautheac were both offloaded, as were 33-year-old Rio Mavuba and 35-year-old centre back Marko Basa.

34-year-old goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama – previously a mainstay of the Lille side – was relegated to the Lille B team, with Bielsa preferring to work with and bring in young players instead.

Brazilian talents Thiago Maia and Luiz Araujo both arrived, as did Nicolas Pepe and Xeka (both 22), 23-year-old defender Edgar Ie, and 20-year-old striker Ezequiel Ponce, with Lille going for a youth movement.

The results weren’t exactly great; Bielsa won just five of his 19 games in charge, and whilst some of those young players have shown promise, Bielsa’s reign was cut short in December.

Leeds fans want to see young players utilised, especially with the club’s excellent academy setup, and if Bielsa is given time to develop young players, then a strategy similar to last summer may well pay dividends at Leeds, and there may not be a mass exodus either given that there are few players over the age of 30 at Elland Road.

Backing Bielsa with young players who can be moulded into his style of play could be ideal for Leeds, and there are enough players with Championship experience to prevent a collapse like Lille’s, with Leeds fans potentially in line for some exciting signings if Bielsa does go for youthful exuberance over experience once again.