MY ACCOUNT
Leeds returned to the Premier League with a bang last term — but they have started this season with a whimper.
The Whites finished ninth in 2020-21 as Marcelo Bielsa’s distinctive style left its mark on England’s top flight.
But the current campaign is not going to plan. Leeds have won just two of their first 11 games, with the dreaded second season syndrome kicking in at Elland Road.
Ahead of their trip to Tottenham, we take a look at what master tactician Bielsa can do to get Leeds firing once again.
Fit and firing
Leeds are still searching consistency but their performance in the 1-1 draw with Leicester last time out was their most complete of the season.
And Adam Forshaw, whose chronic hip issue had kept him out for the best part of two years, played an integral role in that display.
Bielsa was full of praise for the 30-year-old, who restored some much-needed midfield solidity in his first start since August 2019.
He said: “It’s a prize for his perseverance.
“It’s very difficult to come back to this level after two years out. More than any consideration, Forshaw got this by himself.”
Increasing output
Last season, two Leeds players ranked inside the Premier League’s top 10 assist providers. With nine and eight respectively, Raphinha and Jack Harrison accounted for more than a third of the team’s assists between them.
Neither has set up a goal so far this term, with Harrison averaging a particularly disappointing 0.1 expected assists per 90 minutes.
Raphinha, 24, has at least created plenty of chances (22) — only six players in the league had conjured more opportunities going into this weekend — and scored five goals as he continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool.
Forshaw’s presence should help Harrison. As should summer signing Dan James, who put in a fine performance in their 1-0 win over Watford last month.
Rodrigo needs assistance
If they can increase the productivity of their wide players, Leeds should start to see greater output from their lone striker.
Rodrigo is currently leading the line in place of the injured Patrick Bamford but there is no denying the England forward has been a significant loss.
However, while Rodrigo is not a carbon copy of his sidelined team-mate, he did show good form at the back end of last season with four goals in four games.
This time around, the 30-year-old Brazilian has scored only twice — including one penalty — from 2.1 expected goals (xG), though there is every chance he would benefit from improved service.
Turning gains into goals
Leeds finished last season with the Premier League’s fourth highest open-play xG (43.4).
They were also — unsurprisingly for a team coached by Bielsa — the most intense pressers in the division, restricting their opponents to just 9.3 passes per defensive action (PPDA).
The Whites currently lead the way in PPDA with exactly the same figure, while they have scored two goals after forcing high turnovers.
Stylistically, they were never going to change from last season to this, such is Bielsa’s dogmatic approach.
But the 66-year-old’s team are not currently taking sufficient advantage of those possession gains, given their relatively low open-play xG output of just 0.79 per game.
A habit to avoid
Leeds have conceded two minutes after scoring the opening goal in each of their last two games — and Bielsa will want to make sure those mental lapses do not become a habit.
They recovered at Norwich by restoring their lead two minutes later and winning 2-1 but were unable to find another goal against Leicester and had to make do with a point.
In fact, Leeds have dropped points from winning positions on three occasions this season, all of which have come in their last seven games.
Restoring a greater sense of focus could be key to getting their campaign back on track.
