Paul Robinson: Incredible if Bielsa manages to improve Leeds United fitness even more
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 finds it “incredible” that Marcelo Bielsa has been able to oversee an improvement to the Leeds United squad’s fitness levels this summer.
Last week, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay reported that the numbers at Thorp Arch show “Leeds’ physical performance statistics are up”.
In their first season back in the Premier League last time out, Leeds were regularly praised for their high-intensity style of play where players constantly pressed opponents and moved about the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Leeds also did that without a lot of rotation too as Bielsa is famous for his consistent team selection and tendency to have a small squad of players to choose from.
Ex-Whites goalkeeper Robinson is struggling to believe that Bielsa has been able to get even more out of his players while he’s also baffled that other Premier League clubs cannot get their squad to a similar level.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “If Bielsa takes them up to another level, it’s incredible.
“Nearly every team and manager they play against comments on Leeds’ fitness levels and the amount of ground they cover.
“If they can do that, why can’t over teams do it? That’s one thing I’ve not been able to understand.
“All managers say how high a tempo Leeds play and how fit the players are but it only seems to be Bielsa who gets that kind of level out of players.
“Again, it shows you the kind of manager he is.
“If he’s pushed them on again this year then that really is incredible.”
In May, The Athletic detailed just how far Leeds are ahead of other Premier League clubs when it comes to running statistics and distance covered in matches.
Bielsa and his coaches really demand a lot from their players and there’s no doubt the infamous murderball sessions play a massive role in that.
Other managers definitely need to take note because this man has turned us from a mid-table Championship club to one that boasts Spain and Germany internationals as well as a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have made an approach to sign this English forward whose value is soaring.