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Leeds United’s success and progress so far this season has been built upon a platform of extraordinary work ethic.
Marcelo Bielsa has instilled this in the squad at Elland Road, and the players have bought into the Argentine coach’s philosophy wholeheartedly. With impressive consistency, the Whites produce remarkably intense performances where a staggering level of pressure is maintained from the first whistle to the last.
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This approach has attracted plenty of plaudits to the club and it has also proved effective on the pitch. Having finished 13th in the Championship last season, Bielsa’s influence has taken Leeds into the thick of the title hunt.
The manager was full of praise for his team in his press conference on Monday, but two players in particular received special credit.
What he said
In his press conference, as quoted by Leeds Live, Bielsa gave his verdict on Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper’s centre-back partnership: “From an individual point of view they are playing at a very high level, both of them. And they are two players with many skills and skilled players don’t have problems playing with each other…It’s true they play many games together and they are the defensive structure of a team that attacks a lot.”
Deserved praise
27-year-old club-captain Cooper and 28-year-old Swede Jansson have been the defensive foundation that so much of Leeds’ attractive, free-flowing attacking football has been built upon this season.
The pair are deserving of this praise, as their partnership is the bedrock of the club’s current success.
In fact, you could probably go as far as to say they are the two most irreplaceable players in Bielsa’s side, and the boss is clearly fully appreciative of their efforts to take the club above and beyond fans’ wildest expectations.