'They deserve it, they've had a lot of pain at that club' - Jamie Redknapp on Leeds United's woes, Premier League dream and Marcelo Bielsa

Jamie Redknapp says Leeds United fans deserve top flight football for the pain they have endured since their 2004 exit from the Premier League.
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The Whites sat top of the Championship table when the EFL was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and if and when the season resumes will have nine games remaining to finish off their promotion push under Marcelo Bielsa.

Former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp was discussing the Elland Road outfit on Sky Sports earlier today, alongside ex Manchester United defender Gary Neville, and recalled LS11 as a difficult place to go when the Whites were in their title-winning pomp under Howard Wilkinson.

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"Going to Elland Road, it was such an intimidating place," he said.

"They had such a good side when they won the league, Gary Speed, Gary McAllister, [Gordon] Strachan - a really good football team. The atmosphere was really intimidating."

Redknapp, who believes Argentine head coach Bielsa has done a 'really good job' since taking control at Elland Road, says the club's fanbase would augment the Premier League.

And the lows they have experienced since being relegated from the top flight and subsequently sinking to League One before a return to the Championship, make them deserving of another crack at the elite level.

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"Leeds in the Premier League would certainly add their fans, the noise they'd make," he said.

DESERVING: Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville would both like to see Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League. Pic: Getty.DESERVING: Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville would both like to see Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League. Pic: Getty.
DESERVING: Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville would both like to see Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League. Pic: Getty.

"They deserve it. They've had a lot of pain at that club over the last however many years since they've been in the top flight. They would add an enormous amount to what we have in the Premier League."

Neville put aside the rivalry between his club and Leeds United to add his seal of approval for a Leeds United return to the Premier League.

And he also wants to see Bielsa operating against the country's very best.

"Leeds United are a massive football club," he said.

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"I would like to have played under Bielsa, he's fantastic for the game and would be a brilliant addition to the Premier League."

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