Don’t expect Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa to repeat Fulham’s mistakes.
Fulham have been relegated after a dismal season in the Premier League.
One of the most exciting teams in the Championship last season were turned upside down by an ill thought out and poorly executed spending spree.
Fulham’s poor season will act as a ‘do not follow’ guide to promoted teams, with The Mail describing it as ‘the worst £100m ever spent’.
Leeds United are unlikely to repeat Fulham’s errors.
This is due to headstrong coach Marcelo Bielsa and his preference to ‘coach not spend’.
After his appointment in June, Bielsa was expected to go on a spending spree, possibly bringing in a high number of players from abroad.
He made this mistake at Lille, and decided to be more pragmatic at Leeds.
Only five first team players were signed, with just two permanent, Barry Douglas and Patrick Bamford, who each have had limited impact.
Loan additions Lewis Baker, Jamal Blackman and Izzy Brown were recruited, who between them have barely played.
Leeds signed Kiko Casilla on a free in January after an injury to Blackman.
If Leeds do hold onto their second placed position and win promotion, even with higher funds on offer, the Whites will be more moderate in their recruitment strategy if this season is anything to go by.
The £7 million fee paid for Patrick Bamford shows there is money available and Leeds will spend, but they will not throw money about for the sake of it and add an unnecessarily high number of players and ruin the team dynamic as Fulham did.
Additions will be needed, but Leeds won’t be ripping the team up either.
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