With the memories of Leeds’ first Premier League campaign still fresh in the mind, the Yorkshire Army is ready to march again when the 2021/22 campaign kicks off next week.
There were so many Premier League 2021 highlights for the Leeds faithful to enjoy as head coach Marcelo Bielsa led the Whites to a top-half finish in their first campaign back in the Premier League in 16 years. It’s almost like they have never been away.
Leeds’ 27-year-old striker Patrick Bamford was a sensation, scoring 17 goals and making seven assists. England captain Harry Kane was the only Englishman to be involved in more goals during the season, which begs the question why Bamford was never really in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 thoughts.
Maybe Bamford is not Southgate’s ‘type of player’, but as a backup to Kane I can think of worse options, and the former Chelsea academy player will be determined to prove he’s not a one-season wonder.
Next week the inspirational skipper Liam Cooper will hope to lead his team out against the mighty Manchester United to open a campaign in which our Premier League 2021 betting odds place Bielsa’s boys in ninth position. That would match their achievement of last season, and they are at 171.00 to lift the title. Now that would be some story…
Pre-season is no concern to Bielsa
Leeds have won just one of their pre-season games but, as any head coach will tell you, the results in the run up to the real business are a secondary consideration. It’s all about fitness, formation and achieving a match sharpness in readiness for next week.
The solitary victory came against non-league neighbours Guiseley when Bielsa put out a young team, with midfield man Adam Forshaw the only senior player involved. A draw with Championship club Blackburn was followed by defeats to Fleetwood and then La Liga side Real Betis, before the Whites took a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Dutch giants Ajax. Leeds were 4-0 down by the break and that’s a 45 minutes well worth getting out of the system before they face the Red Devils next week.
Fans are often wary when their team thrives in pre-season, it can mean that their players have had an insufficient challenge in the run up to the campaign, but Real Betis and Ajax are both highly competitive teams on the European stage. Bielsa will have seen enough to ready his own team for next week.
Transfer news
Big summer signing Junior Firpo looked good in the warm up match against Real Betis as he set up the opener for Bamford, and fans will look forward to seeing him, alongside Jack Harrison, who has signed on a permanent deal following his loan from Manchester City.
The other two additions of note are 20-year-old goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson, who has arrived from Norwegian club Valerenga, and Chelsea’s 18-year-old midfielder Lewis Bate, who has signed a five-year deal and will start life at Elland Road in the development squad.
And the club bids a fond farewell to four players who have wandered through the exit door. Pablo Hernandez, Barry Douglas and Ezgian Alioski have all seen their contracts expire while goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has headed to La Liga side Elche on loan.
There may be more transfer action at Elland Road before the window closes in three weeks time, but in the meantime the club’s pursuit of Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien has stalled.
Get ready for an explosive start!
With the new season just a week away, Leeds fans can look forward to a mouth-watering set of fixtures, opening with that white-hot clash against fierce rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils inched closer to the top of the league last term, finishing second but quite a distance behind Manchester City, and their fans will hope new signing Jadon Sancho can continue their progress.
The Yorkshire United will be determined to put their opening opponents in their place and, here at SBOTOP, you can get 6.18 on Leeds to stun the Red Devils or 2.41 on the double chance, win or draw.
The following week fans will be back in Elland Road to welcome Everton to their home. This will be a fascinating season for the Toffees, who have seen their manager Carlo Ancelotti leave the club to join Real Madrid.
Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has taken his place, and he just watched his side get hammered 4-0 by Manchester United in a friendly. Leeds are at odds of 2.28 to beat Everton.
And the big games just keep on coming with a War of the Roses away to Burney and then another peach of a game at home to 2020 champions Liverpool.
Bring it on!
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