Marcelo Bielsa gives Manchester City a new life at Leeds

No discussion of this Leeds United phenomenon can be complete before we see what happens when spring rolls around.

Will their intensity continue to be viable when they face Manchester City and Liverpool again, with Manchester United largely involved, in the space of 15 days next April?

But for now, the edifying part is Marcelo Bielsa’s proof that a club can thrive through the old core value of the good coach, his coaching, rather than contributing to the hyperinflation of a transfer market he is about to see. Edinson Cavani, 33, comes to Manchester United with £ 220,000 a week.

Ian Poveda’s excellent cameo for Leeds vs. Man City shows old-fashioned training can work

Marcelo Bielsa took advantage of the winger with good results in the 1-1 draw at home against City on Saturday

Ian Poveda, prominent on the right wing after Bielsa introduced him at halftime on Saturday, was so far from a place in Manchester City’s first team that Pep Guardiola didn’t even meet him for a chat before letting him leave for Elland. Road in January. .

But Bielsa certainly wanted to look Poveda in the eye. In Leeds, they recall the way the Argentine micromanaged the player when he gifted an hour of home football to Derby in July.

Again, Poveda! Move Poveda! Now, Poveda! he yelled from the sidelines.

Bielsa said that he has been surprised by the development trajectory that made Poveda look comfortable and smart, as it made Benjamin Mendy seem very normal.

Poveda used to play with Pep Guardiola (right) at Man City before Leeds signed him

“When I first saw it, I didn’t think it was going to have the impact and evolution that it’s having,” Bielsa said. ‘He has physical resources that I haven’t seen before. He is a player who has huge values ​​in sprints and distances covered.

Poveda waited five months for his debut and six months for his first outing but he is not lacking in confidence.

“I have not seen a player who has carried a group as well as him,” observed Stuart Dallas when the player had just arrived in January.

Giving a chance to a player like Poveda, who played in the City quarry with Phil Foden, is more difficult for Guardiola.

Poveda (left) is still developing in English football and is expected to play a major role in Leeds

For years, the city’s mantra has been the establishment of two world-class players at each position. There is less room to take risks.

But that meant giving up Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund, only to find Manchester United willing to pay more than £ 90 million for him. The vast resources provide no guarantees.

Is 63 million pound Rodri really a better sentinel off defense than Kalvin Phillips, a player so integral to Leeds that Guardiola ordered his team to choke him on Elland Road?

As the right-backs advance, Kyle Walker couldn’t touch standout Luke Ayling and Leeds got what they deserved when Rodrigo headed in a second-half equalizer after Raheem Sterling’s brilliant solo goal.

Guardiola believes that Poveda (above) will improve more and more under Bielsa’s style of play

Poveda, who is in the England age group but could play for Colombia, joins Jack Harrison in the ranks of City youth products finding a new life under Bielsa.

He came to City through his sister club New York City FC, only to find himself on loan for three years.

When asked about Poveda, whose only appearance for City was in a Carabao Cup semi-final won at Burton when he was winning 9-0 from the first leg, Guardiola was phlegmatic.

“I’m pretty sure he reached a level here and when I see the second half his development through Marcelo is improving,” he said.

But if he and Harrison continue on their early Premier League trajectories, City may begin to question why they are spending small fortunes while letting young prospects go.