Leeds United made their long-awaited return to the top flight of English football with a flurry of Bielsa-inspired fervor.
They pressed and harried their way towards a 9th place finish in their season back. Their collection of, frankly, Championship caliber players established their careers under Marcelo Bielsa.
Raphina is now a sought-after attacker and Kalvin Phillips a regular England international. Unfortunately for Leeds, those players look set to depart and it’s unclear where the club goes next.
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Depending on who you believe, Raphina is headed to one of Chelsea, Arsenal or Barcelona. Meanwhile Kalvin Phillips is expected to move to Manchester City.
It’s the age-old story of any smaller team who dares to do well – their best players get picked off like flesh from a carcass. It could be especially damaging for Leeds who have been through one of their best periods in recent history.
Marcelo Bielsa was so adored that most fans would have wanted him to stay even if they were relegated. While new manager Jesse Marsch did well to keep them up, he is still something of an unknown quantity.
There is a massive mural of Kalvin Phillips in a central location that can be seen from all over the city. Ditto Bielsa. Will whatever new team Marsch builds be forever in the shadow of the team that gave Leeds their identity back?
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Bielsa was such an ideologue, it remains unclear as to whether the majority of the squad can perform at the same levels without him.
Marsch has already signed Brendan Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen – two players who have already played under him. As well as that, they are strongly linked with Cody Gakpo, who would be a coup if they could get him.
Only next season will tell if the Raphina and Phillips money has been put to good use.
