OPINION
Leeds fans hoping Marcelo Bielsa will radically overhaul a squad that limped to a 13th place finish last season are set to be disappointed.
The newly-appointed United manager made that clear as he addressed the media for the first time since the club shook up the Championship with the most ambitious appointment seen in the second tier for years.
As Bielsa gave some background into how he came to take over from the sacked Paul Heckingbottom, he was asked about his summer transfer plans.
The Argentine explained, as quoted by the personal Twitter account of Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay, that he was “not intending to bring too many new faces in” and there are “plenty” of players in the current squad who he believes should remain at Elland Road.
Bielsa on transfers: "For the moment we're not intending to bring too many new faces in. From my point of view the club have got plenty of players I feel should remain here, who we should keep." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 25, 2018
Bielsa on transfers: "In terms of the process, I get names from Victor Orta, I then give my opinion on them. If we can arrive at an agreement, that's when the process starts." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 25, 2018
There is too much love for Bielsa from Leeds fans on social media for them to criticise the great man before he has even overseen his first training session.
But his declaration of faith in a side that were wretched in the second half of last season as their play-off hopes went up in smoke will count as a surprise for many supporters.
Indeed, owner Andrea Radrizzani made it clear in the final months of 2017-18 how disappointed he had been in the players, particularly those seniors handed lucrative long-terms deals last summer.
Bielsa either sees it differently to the Italian businessman, or he is happy to work within the parameters of the budget available.
It would certainly make sense for Leeds to make two or three top-notch signings rather than a dozen mainly mediocre ones, as was the case last summer, and a failing that was repeated again in January.
Bielsa has made it clear he believes the answers can be found on the training pitch rather than merely in the transfer market.