MOT Leeds News speaking to Paul Robinson

Wed 11 December 2019 10:30, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…

Paul Robinson has said that he believes the current Leeds starting XI is good enough to stay in the Premier League.

Leeds are currently heading for the top flight. With almost half the season played, Leeds are top and 11 points clear of third-placed Fulham after a 2-0 win over Hull on Tuesday night.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa has largely stuck with the same group of players that he inherited when he arrived at Elland Road in the summer of 2018.

However, talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson does think the side would need to be strengthened if they wanted to challenge.

“It would have to be strengthened,” Robinson said.

“It would have to be strengthened, reinforced, but I think it would compete in the Premier League.

“The current squad would stay in the Premier League – the current starting XI would stay in the Premier League.”

However, that would involve holding onto one player who Robinson believes has been “outstanding” this season – Ben White.

White is currently on a season-long loan at Leeds and the club has no option to make his move permanent.

Leeds have an option to make Jack Harrison’s move permanent in the summer and would likely take this up if promoted.

If Leeds do get promoted it will be fascinating to see what Bielsa does. He’s the sort of manager that rewards loyalty but Leeds will be looking to do better than just surviving.

We can see investment being made in key areas of the squad, but the nucleus of the side – Kiko Casilla, Ben White, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Harrison, Helder Costa, Pablo Hernandez and Patrick Bamford – is likely to stay the same.

In other Leeds United news, ‘I don’t see that’ – Lee Hendrie shares why ‘immense’ Leeds are ‘absolutely nailed to go up’