Leeds United chairman, Andrea Radrizzani, says that the newly promoted club are aspiring to be like Sheffield United.
Leeds made their long awaited return to the Premier League on Saturday after 16 years out of the division. Their first game back may have ended in defeat to reigning champions Liverpool, but they impressed many with their attacking play in the 4-3 loss at Anfield.
The Blades begin their 2020/21 campaign this evening when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers. They are likely to be confident going into their successive season in the top flight.
This is after winning plenty of plaudits following their own comeback to the division last term. Despite being tipped by many for immediate relegation, Chris Wilder’s team finished ninth.
How Leeds have been influenced, according to Radrizzani
(Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport/Getty Images)
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Unsurprisingly, the Whites are hoping to follow in the footsteps of their Yorkshire rivals.
“Practically I see ourselves hopefully similar to Sheffield United in terms of not changing the mentality of the project,” Radrizzani told Financial Times CEO and Leeds fan, John Ridding, during an interview.
“I think we have built a good foundation.
“The quality of the football is there and we need to continue with a few integrations and I would say quality more than quantity.”
It is true that the Blades maintained their tactics and most of their personnel following promotion. Wilder tweaked things slightly in midfield, but the wing-back system that served them so well in the Championship and League One stayed.
The four players that started every league match for them – George Baldock, Chris Basham, Ollie Norwood and Enda Stevens – were also mainstays in the second tier. Basham actually played for the club in League One.
Like Wilder, Whites head coach, Marcelo Bielsa, is a manager with clear ideas. The Argentine likes to create teams with an identity.
Therefore, using the Blades as an blueprint is probably no bad thing for Leeds.
