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After 16 years in
exile, Leeds United are heading back to the Premier League after achieving
promotion from the Championship. It has been a long hard road back for the
Whites, having been relegated from the top division in 2004. They have gone
through a litany of managers and owners along with a spell in administration.
However, under the ownership of Andrea Radrizzani and the management of
Marcelo Bielsa, the club are finally back among the elite.
Returning to the Premier League is a major achievement,
although remaining there is a different challenge altogether as Norwich
City have proven over the last year. Like any relegated club, the Canaries
will be one of the favourites to bounce back in the EFL
Championship odds next season. Sheffield United have shown the way without investing huge
sums of money, although key additions were made to strengthen certain
areas of their squad. Bielsa does have the framework of a solid squad
to work with, while his attributes as an experienced manager will stand
Leeds in good stead for the Premier League challenge. Kalvin Phillips
had been touted with a move to the top flight in the past and should be
ready to stamp his authority in the middle of the park. Pablo Hernandez
has experience and guile, and should have enough left in the tank at the
age of 35 for at least one term. Mateusz Klich has been a model of consistency
and will be eager to test himself at the highest level. In the backline, skipper
Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas could make the leap. John
Egan, Jack O'Connell, Chris Basham, George Baldock and Enda Stevens were
the backline for the Blades and have had no issues adapting to a higher
standard of competition. That will be the great hope for Bielsa, although
work will have to be done in the transfer market regarding loanee Ben
White. The 22-year-old has been outstanding, playing every game for the
club this season. Brighton may want to retain the services of the defender,
despite their strength in depth in the rear-guard. Leeds have already secured Jack Harrison for another year
on loan, which is a big boost, although the price of a permanent deal
has gone up from £8 million to £10 million as a consequence of that. Further
bolstering to the numbers could be beneficial for Bielsa due to his intense
style, although Wolves and Sheffield United have proven that smaller squads
can beneficial. The one area that will concern Bielsa for the Premier League
challenge will be the final third. Patrick Bamford has scored 16 goals,
but has not been as prolific as expected for
the chances he has seen in front of the net. Those opportunities will
dry up in the top flight so the Whites will need a stronger marksman.
The best in the Championship could be an intriguing road to go down unless
there's a Raul Jimenez on the agenda for Bielsa and his scouting staff.
Karlan Grant has scored goals for a struggling Huddersfield side and is
a player on the rise. He could fit perfectly into the system. An upgrade in the goalkeeping department could be a worthwhile
investment. Dean Henderson has been a godsend for Sheffield United, while
consistency in this area has been key for other promoted clubs in the
past. The Premier League is unforgiving and mistakes the Whites make either
on the field or off it in their recruitment will be punished. They have
to get it right. 
Daniel
Farke's men were the outstanding team in the second tier in the 2018/19
term, finishing well ahead of Bielsa's Leeds. However, the lack of investment
by the Canaries has resulted in their demise, and serves as a warning
for the Whites and the club's hierarchy.