Leeds United’s development in recent years has been tarnished by detrimental problems within the club’s hierarchy which have served to prolong their exile from the top-flight. But Andrea Radrizzani’s takeover and the subsequent appointments of both Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa have transformed the feeling amongst the fan base.
Indeed, optimism at Elland Road is rife and rightly so. While Massimo Cellino was in charge, widespread frustration characterised the mood at the club, but that has all changed with Radrizzani at the helm.
Leeds United have completed a multitude of incoming and outgoing deals since he took charge, but the decision to sell Chris Wood to Burnley in 2017 was one which threatened to anger the supporters.
To some extent it did, but there were plenty of supporters who backed Radrizzani’s decision to cash in on Wood while his value was sky high.
Burnley completed a deal worth £15 million for his services at the end of a season in which he bagged 27 goals in 44 Championship appearances, and with it Leeds lost their talisman.
In response to the news, Radrizanni delighted plenty of fans when he vowed to reinvest the money in new talent.
Here’s what the fans had to say about Radrizzani following Wood’s departure:
https://twitter.com/ephemeraljoy/status/899611166086967296
https://twitter.com/LufcDamo/status/899622702734073856
https://twitter.com/LEYTONREECE/status/899611113985368068
https://twitter.com/carlos061181/status/899610769406521346
https://twitter.com/BradleyR1919/status/899624984494182400
https://twitter.com/SamAdjeii/status/899635897452384256
1st time a chairman has come out & cleared the air on the monies right frm the word go
In @andrearadri we trust!#MOT #LUFC #Leeds— Abhinav Shukla (@JustShukla) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/Keithsimon1973/status/899729601471107072
https://twitter.com/BuhOBuh/status/899626995419578368
I love this man…. breath of fresh air he is. @andrearadri you beauty!
— Terry LUFC (@eltel89) August 21, 2017
The manner in which Radrizzani quickly issued a statement to inform the supporters of Leeds’ strategy to deal with Wood’s departure was a breath of fresh air for supporters who had become accustomed to neglect and disappointment under their previous owner.
Not only did Radrizzani conduct himself with class and dignity after making a huge transfer decision, he also promised to refund any replica shirts which had been purchased with Wood’s name and number on the back.
His understanding of the demands of the supporters and ability to connect with them on an individual level through his handling of Wood’s sale clearly endeared him to the Whites faithful.
And the emergence of Kemar Roofe within a Marcelo Bielsa system which is distinctly incompatible with a player of Wood’s style proves that Radrizzani’s decision was made with long-term interests in mind, and for that he deserves huge credit.
Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
