According to a piece by the Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Leeds United players each have one thing in the back of their mind during this EFL suspension – how they will be asked to produce the level of intensity Marcelo Bielsa demands upon their footballing return.
Before the EFL opted to suspend all footballing action until April 30th at the earliest date, Leeds were flying at the top of the Championship – winning their last five league games as they climbed to the summit of England’s second tier. Currently one point clear ahead of second-placed West Bromwich Albion, manager Bielsa will undoubtedly demand that players continue to perform to his famously high-intensity standard (further explained in the Guardian) regardless of the circumstances surrounding football at the moment.
Indeed, taking into account the Argentine’s emphasis on fitness and overall pressing, it should be a given that each Whites player expects nothing but perfection in that aspect.
Given how close they are to promotion, whilst taking into account Bielsa’s methods, each Leeds man is right to have this in the back of his mind – with the Yorkshire outfit desperate to secure a long-awaited Premier League promotion and get back to the top flight for the first time in over 15 years.
This could come with potential pressure, with Hay revealing that each squad member is ‘doing what they can‘ to stay in shape whilst in isolation. If there are any good signs for supporters, it is that Leeds look to be dealing with the break well and were in impressive form prior to it, suggesting they can in fact deal with pressure despite a wobble before then.
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