Marcelo Bielsa fired Leeds United into promotion contention last season in the Championship and despite the Whites ultimately falling short, there was plenty to be positive about at Elland Road.  

Leeds have managed to retain Bielsa for a second year, which was their first key piece of business this summer, and the Argentine is now looking to finish off what he started in West Yorkshire.

The Championship will be competitive once again next season, but Leeds will feel confident that Bielsa can have them in contention for the top-two once again, with the Whites arguably standing a better chance of automatic promotion now the Argentine has a feel for the division.

Promotion will be the aim, but things will have to fall into place for Leeds, and, with that in mind, we highlight three factors that might get in the way of Bielsa launching a promotion push in 2019/20.

Kalvin Phillips sale

Phillips was a key part of Leeds’ success last season in the Championship, with the 23-year-old developing into the division’s best holding midfield player.

Leeds’ 4-1-4-1 system brings out the best in him and Bielsa will be doing everything he can to fight off Premier League interest in the coming weeks, as his importance to the side is simply that big.

The Telegraph credited Aston Villa with an interest not long ago, but nothing has materialised just yet. Leeds fans will hope it stays that way, as without Phillips, a promotion looks less likely. 

Slow start

Starting fast last season was crucial to Leeds establishing themselves in the Championship’s promotion race.

It took until September 22 for Leeds to taste defeat in the league, and before Christmas they’d only lost on three occasions.

Kicking off next season in similar style will help Bielsa’s side establish themselves in the promotion race, but failing to do that could leave the side facing an uphill task. 

Injuries

Finally, we’ve got to note the injuries that Leeds suffered with last season.

The treatment room was never empty at Thorp Arch and Leeds had no luck when it came to the fitness of Bielsa’s squad.

Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe – Leeds’ two main strikers – missed around 40 games combined last season, with the Whites’ productivity not nearly good enough post-Christmas.

With a bit of luck Leeds will not have the same problems next season. If they do, they might find themselves licking their wounds once again next summer.