This Leeds United team has changed a lot since the last time they were promoted to the Premier League. Marcelo Bielsa lead the Whites to the top flight in 2020 after an impressive season in the Championship.
Their first season in the Premier League was even more impressive as they finished in the top half of the table. Bielsa’s side shocked everyone with their quality and style of play. Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Raphinha starred in a very memorable season for the fans. Leeds played some of their best football under Bielsa, but the Argentine was sacked the next season.
The club then cycled through multiple coaches as Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce all had their turn in charge of the team before their eventual relegation back in 2023.
Leeds United title hero set to return to the Championship
There were a lot of memorable names for that squad that made history with the promotion campaign in 2020. Fan favourites like Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo were the mainstays in the team. Fast forward to today, and almost none of them are currently with the club.
| Club | Games Played |
|---|---|
| Hull City | 11 |
| Carlisle United (loan) | 6 |
| Huddersfield Town (loan) | 4 |
| Chesterfield | 71 |
| Leeds United | 281 |
| CSKA Sofia | 23 |
Now, Cooper is set for a return to the Championship for the first time since leaving Leeds United in 2024. He left Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia over the summer and has been without a club. According to The Star, Sheffield Wednesday are in pole position to bring the 34-year-old back to England. The Championship club have been allowed to make a few transfers after settling their debts with foreign clubs.
Cooper is tipped to be one of the players to arrive at the club, with a deal to be wrapped up over the next week.
Liam Cooper can help boost Sheffield Wednesday’s chances
The Owls are currently bottom of the Championship and could do with the addition of Cooper. The defender comes in with over 200 games at this level, and he has also played in the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday also have the worst defence in the league, so adding a player of that quality could be key.
| Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Expected Goals Against |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | 2 | 27.1 |
With 15 games gone in the Championship, the club have a long way to go if they want to survive relegation, but stranger things have happened.
Maybe the addition of Liam Cooper and some new faces in January could turn things around for the club.
Speaking of potential January transfers, this Leeds star has been linked with a shock move away from Elland Road.
