Phil Hay has revealed that fitness tests held at Leeds United on the back of a return to Thorp Arch showed Marcelo Bielsa’s side to be fitter than they were pre-postponement.

Leeds sit top of the Championship table and after a postponement of three months, there’s a determination at Elland Road to get back onto the field and meet the promotion race head on later this month.

And, it was evident during the lockdown period that Leeds were determined to maintain their fitness levels ahead of linking back up under Bielsa’s watch.

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A report in The Athletic has revealed just how good the shape of Bielsa’s squad is at this stage, relaying the following information: “Before they trained at Thorp Arch on Saturday, Bielsa put his players through timed running sessions on the facility’s outdoor track. Every one of them beat the stats they were producing pre-lockdown.” 

Only nine game separate Leeds from a Premier League return and when June 20^th comes around, Bielsa’s side will be looking to pick up where they left off to deliver top-flight football.

Pre-postponement, Leeds were flying in the Championship and had won five consecutive fixtures to move back to the summit of the division, opening up a seven-point lead over third-placed Fulham.

Bielsa’s side are scheduled to play Fulham in one of their remaining nine games.

The Verdict  

This is an exceptional effort from Bielsa’s squad.

The postponement of the season could have demotivated them, but they have remained true and returned in better condition than they left.

There’s been no stone unturned at Elland Road and Bielsa’s side look primed to get the job done in these remaining nine fixtures.

You feel their preparations compared to the rest of the Championship deserve enormous credit and the rest of the division will have concerns about the animal Bielsa is about to unleash.

Thoughts? Let us know!

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