Bramall Lane clash will allow Marcelo Bielsa to compare his Leeds United with 'consolidated' Premier League Sheffield United

Marcelo Bielsa sees tomorrow’s game against Sheffield United as a chance to compare his Leeds United side with what he sees as an established Premier League team.
COMPARISON - Marcelo Bielsa will pit his Leeds United side against a 'consolidated' Premier League outfit tomorrow at Sheffield UnitedCOMPARISON - Marcelo Bielsa will pit his Leeds United side against a 'consolidated' Premier League outfit tomorrow at Sheffield United
COMPARISON - Marcelo Bielsa will pit his Leeds United side against a 'consolidated' Premier League outfit tomorrow at Sheffield United

The Blades returned to the top flight a season earlier than their Yorkshire rivals and finished ninth, playing the same kind of football that has taken Chris Wilder and his men from League One to the Premier League.

Bielsa is an admirer of the 53-year-old and how he has steeped his players in his playing ideology.

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“It’s very clear the importance of what Sheffield United have done in the past few seasons, getting promoted then the season they had last year in the Premier League,” said Bielsa.

“It’s a team with a particular style of play which is ingrained, well oiled. They have a very, very good manager who has been able to ingrain his ideas into his players.

“The players clearly feel comfortable in the system that has been imposed. This is one of the virtues of a good manager, someone who is able to ingrain his ideas on his players to make it look comfortable.”

Bielsa often expressed his belief that every game in the Championship was difficult, so life certainly won’t be any easier for his Whites this season against a higher level of opposition.

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In the case of the Blades, Bielsa admits Leeds will find a hard nut to crack at Bramall Lane, but it’s a test to relish.

Having played the incomparable champions Liverpool and a fellow newly-promoted side, this is Leeds’ first encounter with a side they might consider direct rivals for a mid-table position, or better.

“It’s a practical team, very difficult to face,” said Bielsa. “We feel the game is a big challenge for us.

“All games have something which makes them attractive, in particular the games in the Premier League.

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“In the case of Sheffield United it is a derby game against a very good team who have consolidated themselves and it’s a good opportunity to be able to compare us to them.”

The Blades will be without the suspended John Egan which will give Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu a chance of his first Premier League start, with Phil Jagielka also in consideration for a place in Wilder’s defence.

“Ethan comes into the picture, Phil Jagielka comes into the picture,” said the Blades boss.

“It opens it up for somebody else and I feel Ethan is going to play a big part in our season. It’s Phil Jagielka’s natural position.

“There are some decisions to be made, there always is.”

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