Transfer Centre

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa planning mass clearout

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 June 2018

Leeds boss Bielsa planning mass clearout

Marcelo Bielsa claims that Leeds United are unlikely to be too busy in this summer's transfer window in terms of incoming activity.

Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that he could offload as many as 15 players as he plots a Championship promotion charge for Leeds United.

The former Argentina and Chile boss was reportedly lured to Elland Road with the promise of a large transfer kitty to bolster his aim of taking the Whites back to the top flight.

Speaking at his unveiling at Elland Road on Monday afternoon, however, Bielsa insisted that he is happy to work with the main core of players left over from last season's disappointing campaign.

"For the moment, we're not intending to bring too many new faces in," he told reporters. "From my point of view, the club have currently got on the books plenty of players that we should keep.

"In terms of the way things are run, in terms of bringing players in, I get names from [director of football] Victor Orta, I then give my opinion on those players.

"I have seen all 51 games Leeds United played last season and the two friendlies in Myanmar but I have not had the day-to-day contact with them yet.

"In the same way I may have recommendations about players coming in we have to make an assessment too. The players I want to keep are the players I can guarantee game time to. I think the club has about 15 players too many and there are four or five positions we need to strengthen."

Leeds face Forest Green Rovers in their first pre-season outing on July 17.