Paul Merson excited by Leeds United's Premier League return as midfielder reflects on former interest from Whites

Twenty battles in fact, with either Arsenal, Middlesbrough or Aston Villa and the Whites a Premier League side.

These days, Merson's dealings with Leeds have involved covering the club's fortunes from a different vantage point - as a pundit for Sky Sports, and United's lengthy quest to seal a return to top flight football.

But thanks to head coach Marcelo Bielsa, that quest is finally over and former midfielder Merson is thrilled the Whites are back in the country's top flight.

Furthermore, the Sky pundit feels Leeds will not just be there to make up the numbers with 52-year-old Merson expecting a bold showing from the Whites if boosting their options upfront.

Writing in his column in the Daily Star, Merson said: "I'm delighted Leeds are back in the Premier League - and some clubs had better look out.

"I used to love playing at Elland Road. I don't know why, but I always used to play well when I went up there and it was one of those grounds I enjoyed being at.

"The fans were respectful, but it could also be an intimidating place to play.

"The noise was huge and there won't be too many better atmospheres around the top flight next season than the one at Leeds, let me tell you.

"So a lot of teams will find it a difficult place to go - and it could take some of them a while to work Leeds out.

"It will take teams some time to get used to playing against them because they press hard to win the ball back, although they've gone up a level now so it will be interesting to see what approach manager Marcelo Bielsa takes."

"I watched a Sky documentary recently on Bielsa and it made me appreciate just what a huge managerial career he's had and the influence he's had on others.

"People like Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino. He's a legend back in Argentina and the fact Guardiola spoke so very highly of him tells you all you need to know about Bielsa. He spoke about him like he was a God.

"Fair play to him for sticking around at Leeds. After what happened last season, when Leeds blew promotion, the easiest thing for him would have been to walk away.

"But he didn't. He had another crack, stuck to his principles and it has all worked out for them.

"Leeds deserve a lot of credit for going for him in the first place. He was the expensive option because, let's face it, he's not on a youth scheme is he? But he's got the results."

"Leeds will have a right go and I think they will do well, but Bielsa will have to sign some new players. They need a striker who can score goals at that level."

As a player, goals were certainly part of Merson's weaponry and the former midfielder netted four against the Whites.

Merson had a decent record against United with seven victories, eight draws and just four defeats from his 20 outings against the Peacocks.

It could, though, have been very different with Merson revealing that Arsenal rebuffed several advances from Leeds to prize him away from north London.

"Leeds came in for me a few times while I was at Arsenal, but George Graham would never agree to sell me to them," said Merson.

"But Leeds are still a massive football club and it's hard to believe they haven't been in the top flight for 16 years.

"The place will be packed out every game and I think they'll bring so much to the Premier League because they have fans all around the world.

"Last summer they went to Australia on a pre-season tour, which shows how popular they are worldwide."

That tour featured a 'friendly' against Roses rivals Manchester United - and now next season it's for real.

Merson is relishing the prospect of seeing those two contests come the 2020-21 Premier League campaign in addition to United's clashes against the likes of newly-crowned champions Liverpool and historic rivals Chelsea.

Merson added: "They also have some genuine rivalries with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool which will be back on again now, so that has to be a good thing for the Premier League in my opinion. That's what we want to see."

"Their result has always been one of the first ones I look for, so I'm chuffed for Leeds. They will bring a lot to the top flight again and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they get on. I hope they do well."

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Thank you Laura Collins