Gabby Agbonlahor reacts after early-season Leeds United comments played on-air
Gabby Agbonlahor was forced into an on-air appraisal of Leeds United but he still found the chance to fire a warning shot ahead of next season.
The ex-Aston Villa striker has been a vocal critic and derider of the Whites and Marcelo Bielsa for the past year, often found trying to wind up Leeds fans online with baseless comments.
He was reminded of these remarks by Natalie Sawyer live on talkSPORT [08:30, 24/05/21], who played some of his barbs directed at Leeds the day after Bielsa’s side beat West Brom to secure a ninth-place finish, two spots above his beloved Villa.
After Sawyer ridiculed some of his comments, Agbonlahor offered up an explanation.
“I remember watching their 6-2 defeat to Manchester United and thinking ‘you can’t do this’,” he said.
“But Bielsa has learned you can’t play man for man versus the likes of [Marcus] Rashford and [Raheem] Sterling.”
On whether Bielsa should win Manager of the Year, he said: “I wouldn’t go that far, he’s been outstanding though, he’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s done well and he’s changed it up a little bit.
“But next season is a big season for them, Sheffield United finished ninth last season so there’s a bit of a coincidence there.
“You never know what can happen, second season syndrome can always happen to teams so they’ve got to start the season off well.”
No danger
If Agbonlahor is trying to draw parallels between us and Sheffield United then he is sorely mistaken.
There’s just no comparison between the two sides, except that we both hail from different parts of Yorkshire.
The Blades were an extremely well-drilled team under former boss Chris Wilder, who galvanised them into believing they could perform at Premier League level despite most of the squad being second or third-tier players.
They came crashing back to reality this season, however, with some costly signings and their identity crushed.
While Bielsa has coached many of our own talents into players that have far exceeded their own expectations, there is still an element of star quality in our ranks that just isn’t on offer at Bramall Lane.
They had no Raphinha on the wings skinning full-backs, or an England international in Kalvin Phillips spraying pinpoint passes from the middle of midfield.
Their top goalscorers in the Premier League last year were Lys Mousset and Oliver McBurnie with six, while we finished the season with four players above that total and Raphinha level on six.
We could go on and on about the investment, infrastructure and coaching in place at Elland Road, but we get the feeling Abonlahor already knows this and is just trying to stir the pot again after we surged past his Villa side.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Unforgettable’ – Andrea Radrizzani sends touching Twitter tribute to Whites supporters.