They were responsible for Premier League highlights aplenty.
On occasions, they took a pummeling, on other days they turned on the style to defy the Premier League betting odds.
Sometimes, they showed their best and worst sides in the very same games!
But the fact that Leeds United were able to not only survive in their first term back in the top flight for 17 years but actually claim ninth place, finishing with a flourish after an impressive late run, made their return an undoubted success.
In fact, the club surpassed all expectations in their first season back, attaining the highest points tally for a newly promoted side since Ipswich Town in 2001, as they amassed a total of 59 to finish above the likes of Everton and Aston Villa.
Now, what awaits the Yorkshire club, sponsored by SBOTOP, in the Premier League next term?
In many ways the team’s success in 2020-21 has been best emphasized by the role young midfielder Kalvin Phillips has played in helping England through to the final of Euro 2020.
Dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ by his club fans, Phillips’ importance to his club is unquestionable, with the Whites winning only two of the nine Premier League games he missed last season.
The thought of a player, who was plying his trade outside of the top league just 12 months ago, being selected for the England squad for a major tournament could not have been foreseen; less still, the fact he has had such a key role.
He is one of seven players representing the club at Euro 2020; again, something which would have been scoffed at a year ago.
Looking ahead, Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa has already started strengthening the ranks after he signed full-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona for about £13 million on a four-year deal this week.
The 24-year-old moved to the Nou Camp from Real Betis in the summer of 2019 and made 41 appearances for Barca, who have included a 20% sell on clause in the deal. The former Spain Under-21 international helped Barcelona win the Copa del Rey last season.
They are also on the verge of gaining the signature of former Liverpool youngster Sean McGurk from Wigan. He is set to link up with the club’s under-23 side, who will play in the Premier League 2 Division 1 next season.
That would be another signing that falls in line with the club’s bold policy which helped them gain a top half finish.
Players like club-record signing Rodrigo, Raphinha (from Bayern Munich), Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Firpo are not the type recruited to be well prepared to bounce back after a potential relegation.
That level of recruitment is necessary too, when all the talk around Elland Road and training ground Thorp Arch is of expectations of a harder and more challenging second season.
At first-team level, Leeds are reportedly not pushing for departures although, if they add another winger, it could mean even more limited game time for the likes of Helder Costa, and Kiko Casilla who is set to be loaned out.
Polish under-21 international midfielder Mateusz Bogusz has already returned to Spain for a second loan spell after joining Spanish Segunda Division side UD Ibiza for the 2021-22 season.
It is incomings though which are what are the talk of the town and Bielsa has been hunting for a central midfielder since the Whites won promotion and since Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Cuisance came close to signing last autumn.
Indeed, the two clubs had supposedly agreed an £18 million deal for the 21 year-old, who was set to pen a five-year contract before the transfer fell through at the 11th hour after the player failed a medical.
Leeds swiftly pursued a deal for Raphinha instead.
Among the latest rumours, Maxwel Cornet from Lyon is expected to leave the French club this summer, amid interest from Bielsa. Indeed, it has been suggested a bid has already been lodged for the 22-cap Ivory Coast international.
They are also said to be keen on rekindling their interest in Rangers winger Ryan Kent.
All in all, Leeds dans are excited but if there is a word of caution, they need not look far – just across the city in fact.
They will be well aware of Sheffield United and the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’ tag.
Like Leeds, the Blades finished ninth in their maiden top-flight campaign but plummeted severely last term as they finished bottom of the league with just 23 points.
All in all though, it’s very difficult to see a repeat, even if Leeds do not achieve their transfer targets.
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