Speaking on The Overlap, Frank Lampard has been discussing Leeds United and the battles he had with Marcelo Bielsa’s side during his time at Derby County manager.
Lampard and Leeds didn’t get on during his time in the East Midlands, the spygate scandal sparked controversy on both sides, while their battles in the playoffs only added fuel to the fire.
However, Lampard has now conceded that Leeds were the best team in the Championship that year, despite the fact his Derby side overcame them in the playoffs.
What’s been said?
Lampard gave his view on that Leeds team.
“It felt to me like the club was at a tipping point and when you get to the playoff final by beating Leeds who were the best team in the league for me, pretty much, that year for me, losing that final, the hit of that, I felt for Mel big time,” Lampard said.
Best in the Championship?
There’s no doubting that Leeds were a force that season under Marcelo Bielsa, but they weren’t the best team in the Championship.
The old adage goes, the table doesn’t lie, and Leeds finished third for a reason.
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United pipped them to second, while Daniel Farke’s Norwich City were the runaway champions.
Did the Blades or the Canaries play better football than Leeds? Well, it’s debatable, but football is a results business and Leeds fell short.
Bielsa’s side proved in the following season just how good they were, but in 2018/19 they were third-best.
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