Paul Merson has controversially told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (30/01/21 at 1:50 pm) that Leeds will ‘forever’ be a mid-table club under Marcelo Bielsa.
The outspoken pundit shared that he ‘loves watching’ Leeds play, but he cannot see them reaching the Champions League in five years time.
Leeds earned promotion back to the promised land this season after nearly two decades away and they will be hoping during these coming years, they build their way back to the top.
But Merson doesn’t think that will happen under Bielsa’s stewardship because of their gung-ho style of play.
“I like it [watching them play] because I am not a Leeds fan,” said Merson. “I love watching them play.
“But great managers adapt to certain games and you go, ‘right, I am playing Manchester United here, they are very good going forward and I need to keep a tight base’.
“But that’s where they are going to end up. They are forever are going to be middle of the table. You cannot say that if he stayed for five years that Leeds will get Champions League football.”
Whilst those from the outside question where Bielsa can take Leeds, their fans will still be dreaming big because of what he has achieved at the club.
The Yorkshire giants will need time and patience to build, but anything is possible, at this moment in time.
But they face quite a test against Premier League title challengers Leicester City on Sunday, who put four past them the last time they met.
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