Leeds legend Lucas Radebe has given his thumbs up to a solid week of business that has seen his former club sign three new players and retain the services of another despite him being sold.
Loan moves for winger Jack Harrison and centre-back Ben White were announced on Monday, before Helder Costa arrived from Wolves in a loan deal that will become permanent next summer.
In terms of outgoings, the damage has been minimal so far with Jack Clarke moving to Tottenham but signing on for the 19/20 season with Leeds on loan.
Radebe posted a message on Twitter on Wednesday evening that read, “The intentions and message from Leeds for this season is clear @premierleague #MOT.”
The intentions and message from@LUFC_LEEDS for this season is clear @premierleague #MOT
— Lucas Radebe (@LucasRadebe) July 3, 2019
VERDICT
What a difference a week makes. Last weekend, Leeds fans were getting jittery, concerned that no new players had been brought in. However, July 1 kicked off the loan season and Leeds were quick to announce two of their four top targets for the summer – Harrison and White. Costa followed and that only leaves Ryan Kent from the players Marcelo Bielsa was targetting. That’s good business early on in the window.
club still on with other targets (White, Costa, Kent). Trying to wrap deals up in advance of Bielsa and the squad heading to Oz. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 27, 2019
Leeds came close to promotion to the Premier League last season but faded towards the end in the league before losing out to Derby in a thriller in the play-off semi-final. There are good reasons to think they can do even better next season. If they can hold onto key players Pontus Jansson and Kalvin Phillips they’re a stronger outfit with the additions of White and Costa. Marcelo Bielsa will know exactly what the Championship is about after a full season at Elland Road and he’ll have an even greater knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of his players. Leeds (5/1) are the bookies favourites to lift the title this season, followed by Fulham (8/1), Cardiff and West Brom (10/1) and they’re as short as 15/8 to win promotion and 8/13 to finish in the top six. There are no sure things in football but as Radebe has said, Leeds’ intentions are clear.