'He's a strange one' - Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour deliver verdict on 'fabulous' Leeds man

Marcelo Bielsa, Manager of Leeds United. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The Argentine has caused quite a stir in England since arriving at Elland Road with his unique style of attacking play and quirky ways in the dugout.

Bielsa’s enigmatic persona hasn’t been dampened any by the step up to the Premier League this season either, and his side’s willingness to stick to the principles that sealed their promotion from the second tier has won the Whites and their boss plenty of admirers.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Breakfast Show on Friday morning, Brazil admitted that he was among those who have been impressed by Bielsa’s tenure in Yorkshire.

He said: “He’s a strange one, Bielsa. I’m fascinated by him.

"He’s so deep in his own thoughts, he doesn’t really care what’s around him. He’s always in a different place”.

Parlour responded: “He’s done a great job though, hasn’t he?”

“Oh fabulous! Leeds fans love him”, Brazil said.

The duo went on to discuss the South American’s meticulous management style and near-obsessional love of the game.

Parlour said: "The way the play, the energy of the way they play – always on the front foot...”

"I think it’s his whole life: football, football, football”, Brazil interrupted.Parlour replied: “Arsene Wenger was very similar. All he was worried about was football, football, football.

"He watched videos of games you wouldn’t even think about watching.

"Some people are just football mad, and Bielsa will come into that sort of category – which is not a bad thing. [You can ask] Every single footballer around Europe to say, ‘Who can strengthen our squad? Who do we need to make us better?’.

"You’ve got to just hold your hands up and say ‘What a manager!’”.

Leeds face an in-form Chelsea on Saturday evening, and are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to three matches.

The clash will be the first time that Bielsa and his squad have come against Frank Lampard since their infamous Championship play-off semi-final double-header against Derby County at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.