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Written by

Karine Grigoryan

12-10-2021 | 21:22 Football
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Don’t cross off Leeds United just yet

“I always consider the same factors. To defend better, to attack better. To try and have the ball," Marcelo Bielsa 

After a successful first season back in the Premier League, Leeds United have kicked-off the 2021/22 season on a difficult note. The Whites are currently 16th in the league table with just 6 points. Their first and only victory of the season so far came against Watford in matchweek 7. Marcelo Bielsa’s side returned to Premier League after 16 years as they topped the Championship table in the 2019/20 season. Bielsa Image source - Getty Images In the 2020/2021 season, Leeds impressed Premier League fans as they finished 9th. Compared to the previous season, the Whites aren’t doing their best, however, there is a reason to it.

“We have to wait to get injured players back [before judging]. Firpo looks half-decent, but is taking time to settle in. We need Leeds back at their best," Ian Wright said on Wrighty’s House podcast.

Leeds are currently dealing with numbers of injuries, with key players being injured. Currently, Kalvin Phillips is injured as he withdrew from England squad. Patrick Bamford, who impressed during the last season, is also currently out. Both Phillips and Bamford had an impressive season in their first year back to Premier League. Phillips got a call-up to the England squad and participated in the EURO 2020, meanwhile Bamford was called up to the Three Lions squad later, for the World Cup qualifiers. The list of Leeds injuries is long with long-term injured players including Robin Koch, Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw. Perhaps the injury problems could have been solved, if Leeds were more active in the transfer window. They sold Ezgjan Alioski and they signed Daniel James from Manchester United and Junior Firpo from Barcelona. With the players returning from international duty, Marcelo Bielsa’s side will prepare to face Southampton on Saturday. They will hope to have Phillips back to the starting XI and will be looking forward to celebrating their second victory. Overall, this is just the beginning of the season and it is too early to judge Leeds and question Bielsa’s approach to the team. As a bonus, here is a video of Raphinha in Brazil's goalless draw with Colombia.     Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!  

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