
Leeds United have been one of many sleeping giants in English football over recent years. However, they finally seem to have woken up.
After storming the Championship last term playing energetic and eye-catching football, the Mighty Whites have impressed in the Premier League and look set to push for a top half finish in their very first season back in the big time.
They’re a club on the up but are they capable of breaking into the top 6 in the coming years? Today we’re looking at the season we think Leeds will break into the Premier League’s top 6.
Right now, Leeds United are 11th in the Premier League table sitting just behind Arsenal in 10th on goal difference alone. If results go their way in the final 8 games of the season, United could make claim a spot in the coveted top half of the table.
Where would that leave them going forward? Well, it would be a massive achievement but so would finishing 11th. Nonetheless, it’d be another indicator of the superb development Marcelo Bielsa is able to cultivate. Take Patrick Bamford for instance. Not long ago he was seen as a mid-table Championship striker but under Bielsa he’s developed into one of the Premier League’s best forwards. The likes of Kalvin Phillips have undergone similar transformations. Phillips has even become one of England’s first choice holding midfielders.
It’s reasonable to assume that Bielsa will continue to develop the players already at Leeds allowing them to climb the table further. I suppose one issue might be keeping those players at the club. However, I’d be surprised to see Phillips ever leave Leeds unless they were relegated. The only first-teamer in major danger of leaving is Raphinha and even he’s unlikely to depart after just one season at Elland Road. I can see him getting even better next season helping propel Leeds further up the table.
But who could be joining Leeds United over the summer? Well, remarkably they’re one of the favourites to land the highly sought-after Rodrigo De Paul who would be a major coup given the likes of Liverpool and other European giants are pursuing a deal for the midfielder. He’d give them another dimension in the middle of the park making them even more dangerous.
They’re also looking to land a left-back which has been a problem position for them this year. Youngster Romain Perraud could be the man for that position. Speaking of problematic positions for Leeds this season, the injuries to their centre-halves have caused them plenty of issues. So, if they were to stray fit next year you could expect Leeds to be even more stable at the back.
In terms of recruitment, the thing to remember is Leeds have had some major investment from the San Francisco 49ers which gives them deeper pockets. Add that to their seismic status and their beloved manager and they become a very appealing club to join.
I expect Leeds to be even stronger next year but will they be top 6 material? If this season has shown us anything it’s that everything can happen. However, I can’t see Leeds making the top 6 next year. However, I can see them finishing as high as 7th.
The following summer would likely see Raphinha leave for pastures new if he continues to improve. However, a 7th place finish would inject major cash into the club and give them European football allowing them to replace him on the wing and them some. That said, if they were to finish 7th in 2021/22 I can see them struggling a touch in 2022/23 as is often the case for teams balancing European and Premier League football for the first time. However, I expect them to still comfortably secure a top half finish and build again for the following season. A second consecutive top 8 finish would be a success giving them major building blocks.
So, the thing you’ve all been waiting for, when will Leeds break into the top 6? I think their best bet is the 2023/24 season. It’s important that they don’t try and fast-track their return to glory. Instead they need to be patient, be prepared to lose their best players and replace them appropriately and recruit wisely. Next year is a massive year for the club. They have to avoid becoming Sheffield United and need to advance further up the table. From there they need to engineer stability and then they can push for the coveted top 6.
The most important thing for Leeds is keeping Marcelo Bielsa. Such is his quality I think Leeds could lose the vast majority of their stars and still be successful because of his ability to develop players. He brings a winning culture to the club and if they can keep that for as long as possible they’ll maintain their upwards trajectory.
