Aside from his well-publicised decision to move away from the man-marking system that played a major role in the sorry demise of Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, Jesse Marsch hasn’t really had a chance to build a side in his image since replacing Leeds United’s most iconic manager since the legendary Don Revie.
Those stoppage time victories over Norwich City and Wolves were borne out of desire and spirit than any inspired tactical changes.
So far, Marsch’s Leeds has been almost indiscernible from Bielsa’s Leeds. Thrilling, yes, but flawed too.
But when next season kicks off – after the American’s first pre-season at the helm – we should see a different Leeds. A side with Marsch’s fingerprints all over it. A side that, while retaining the key elements of Bielsa’s blueprint, should be more au fait with the 48-year-old’s favoured 4-2-2-2 formation.
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The identity of Leeds’ transfer targets also offers an intriguing insights into Marsch’s plans.
Little can be drawn from Leeds’ ongoing pursut in Brenden Aaronson, however. Despite the fact that the America international played under Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg, Aaronson was a Leeds target when Bielsa was still at the helm. Leeds failed with a £15 million bid in the January window (Athletic).
Reports linking both Sergino Dest and Sergio Gomez with summer moves to Elland Road are, however, a more accurate barometer of things to come (TEAMtalk).
Both are new names on Leeds’ wishlist. And while Dest and Gomez, should they arrive from Barcelona and Anderlecht respectively, will slot in alongside Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper in Marsch’s preferred back-four, don’t expect to see them tucking in and sitting back.
Dest and Gomez are full-backs of the swashbuckling variety. Renowned more for their creative talents than their defensive ones.
The jet-heeled Dest, a diminutive right-back in the Jordi Alba mould, shot to fame at Ajax, a club renowned for developing exciting, technically-gifted youngsters before joining Barcelona for a cool £20 million.
Coach Xavi Hernandez described Dest as a ‘spectacular’ talent recently. but a summer move away from the Camp Nou feels increasingly likely with Barca closing in on another Ajax graduate, Noussair Mazraoui.
A big summer ahead
Gomez, meanwhile, is arguably even more potent in the final third than Dest. The Anderlecht left-back, formerly of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, has 14 assists to his name this term. Almost as many as arguably Europe’s greatest full-back – Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Perhaps more so than any other player, the once-humble full-back typifies a manager’s style of play. And, if their interest in Dest and Gomez is anything to go by, Marsch’s Leeds will be a front-foot, forward-thinking side capable of attacking with pace and precision down the flanks.
A different Leeds, but one no less exciting.
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