Pablo Hernandez reflects on Leeds United's deserved promotion with 'sleeping giant' now wide awake

PABLO HERNANDEZ says Leeds United fully deserve their promotion to the Premier League with the playmaker finding the Whites the exact "sleeping giant" as predicted.
By Lee Sobot
Published 1st Aug 2020, 11:50 BST
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Leeds were already in their seventh consecutive season in the Championship when Hernandez joined the club from Al-Arabi in August 2016 with the Whites looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation from the top flight in 2004.

Four years after his arrival, that return has now been secured with Leeds romping to the Championship title and finishing ten points clear of second-placed West Brom.

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Hernandez was told United were a "sleeping giant" upon signing for the club and that giant has now awoken with a promotion that Hernandez says is the perfect reward for United's hugely dedicated and widespread fan base.

EARLY DAYS: Pablo Hernandez celebrates his strike in Leeds United's 2-1 victory at home to Middlesbrough in November 2017. Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images.EARLY DAYS: Pablo Hernandez celebrates his strike in Leeds United's 2-1 victory at home to Middlesbrough in November 2017. Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images.
EARLY DAYS: Pablo Hernandez celebrates his strike in Leeds United's 2-1 victory at home to Middlesbrough in November 2017. Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images.

“They deserved it, after 16 years, for everything they represent," said Hernandez, relayed by SuperDeporte.

"We’ve filled the stadium in every game in the Championship and away games have seen 7000-8000 of our fans in the stands.

"When I arrived, they told me Leeds was a ‘sleeping giant’, and it’s true.

"I’ve been able to see what it means in England and abroad.

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"We went to Australia in preseason and the fanbase that crawled out was unimaginable.

"It’s great to be able to live all of this."

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Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:Pablo HernandezPremier LeagueWest BromEnglandAustralia