There’s a long-term project going on at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.
The senior side is top of the Championship and looking to get back into the Premier League in their centenary season.
Meanwhile, the Under-23s enjoyed a fabulous season under Carlos Corberan last season, winning the PDL North title and beating Birmingham in the national play-off.
Bielsa and Corberan work closely together and there’s movement both ways between the two teams.
But the influence of Bielsa is going much deeper if a video clip posted by Mark Jackson, Leeds Under-18 coach, is anything to go by.
The youngsters played the ball out from the back confidently and made 10 passes that took in almost the entirety of the pitch before a thunder-strike from Nohan Kenneh into the top-left corner of the net.
Jackson said, “Back out on the grass this morning. Players working hard & great to see training pitch themes coming out in games.”
Back out on the grass this morning ?? ?? Players working hard & great to see training pitch themes coming out in games #mot #together #buildup #strike???? pic.twitter.com/W3zJ7fEfzF
— Mark Jackson (@jacko55555) August 26, 2019
Leeds fans were suitably impressed with the goal on Twitter, with one summing up the impact that Bielsa has made at the club since arriving just over a year ago.
“Just pure BielsaBall…. running right through the club… the youngsters get it and this will speed up their advance toward first team football. What a change in the whole ethos of the play for every team and it is so so so healthy for our future in the Premier League.”
Just pure BielsaBall…. running right through the club… the youngsters get it and this will speed up their advance toward first team football. What a change in the whole ethos of the play for every team and it is so so so healthy for our future in the Premier League. #MOT
— Dave (@mcbdave) August 26, 2019
Another said it was “superb to watch” and the build-up is hugely reminiscent of the Bielsa style of football. To see an Under-18s team playing the same way must be thrilling for the Leeds fans and it’s proof that the Bielsa philosophy is going so much deeper than just the first-team and Under-23s.
Superb to watch
— Karen mckinstry (@Karenmckinstry2) August 26, 2019
Great to watch, movement/rotation from midfield looked to be key to open up the play.
— Tom Dees (@DeesTom) August 26, 2019
Outstanding ????
— Mark Barber (@9Barber) August 26, 2019
Just Wow! #lufc
— Hoofball Out (@HOlufc) August 26, 2019
Wow.
— Paul Collins (@dextersdad10210) August 26, 2019
Another fan made a good point, saying that if this was a Premier League team it would be “up there for goal of the year!”
The young Leeds players might find themselves pressed a bit more in the top-flight, although the point remains valid. The future looks bright at Leeds.
If this was a prem team, it would be up there for goal of the year! What an absolute screamer/team goal
— Ste (@ste251091) August 27, 2019