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Adam Pope on Leeds United | "They don't mention the p-word"

Leeds United are not actively discussing promotion even though recent performances in the league ...



Soccer

Adam Pope on Leeds United | "They don't mention the p-word"

Leeds United are not actively discussing promotion even though recent performances in the league and cup merit it, according to BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope.

Pope joined us to discuss the situation at Elland Road after a narrow defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup showed the wider footballing world the excellent work Marcelo Bielsa is doing in West Yorkshire.

Attention turned to how well Leeds United would get on in the Premier League, but there was a word of caution from a journalist whose beat is one of the more star-crossed in football terms.

"They don't talk about the p-word at all! But clearly they have a plan at some point, if this great season continues. Personally, I think they are still a few light.

"Patrick Bamford has got ten goals this season, but they are going to need more firepower if they are going to stay in the Premier League, but they have got the nucleus of a side that could do pretty well."

Pope discussed whether signings would be a major priority for Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, or whether he would stay true to the players that might promote the club this spring.

"I think he would be quite loyal to his players. Kalvin Phillips has developed into a Premier League quality player.

"Head coaches before knew that he had talent, but the way he has developed means that he has been linked with a big-money move to Aston Villa.

"There are a few others - Jack Harrison, who has been at Manchester City, has come on leaps and bounds.

"Stuart Dallas who had an average time at Leeds after he had come from Brentford - he's a 9 out of 10 for Leeds every week now. He could probably do a bit of a job in the Premier League.

"I think he would stick with a lot of them, not just out of blind loyalty, but because he believes that he has coached them to a level."

 

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