Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa WARY of Chris Wilder after THIS complement
LEEDS boss Marcelo Bielsa has kept his distance from Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder ahead of their Championship clash.
Leeds take on Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday at Marcelo Bielsa’s side look to close the gap on first-placed Norwich.
Sheffield United are still well in the mix for an automatic promotion place and will go above Bielsa’s side with a win.
Chris Wilder shocked Bielsa by lavishing praise on his side before the much-anticipated clash, naming Leeds as the best team in the division.
Bielsa has taken the complement as mind games by Wilder, and prompted his counterpart to refrain from commenting on his team in future.
“I don’t like to make comments on my team, saying that we are superior or not to other teams,” Bielsa said.
Wilder is desperate for a win which would catapult his side to just one point away from the top of the table, but United face a tough test against a side who have won three in a row at home
“We’re up against arguably the best team in the division for the past eight months,” Wilder said of Leeds.
“Whether that can continue for another month is to be seen.
Bielsa has sprinkled his magic dust on that club through being an outstanding manager
“If you look at Bielsa’s CV, it’s not too shabby. He has worked at national level and for some of the most powerful clubs in Europe and abroad.
“Bielsa has sprinkled his magic dust on that club through being an outstanding manager.”
Wilder’s side have gone 540 minutes without conceding a goal, and Bielsa has risked breaking his own rule by handing Wilder a compliment.
“Teams reflect their head coach,” the Argentine said on Friday.
“Teams say a lot about the head coach they have and I’ve learned a lot about Sheffield United.
“It’s the team from which I’ve learned the most this season.
“They have a new style of playing. They have been faithful to their style all season and each player is giving his very best.
“For us it’s a big challenge to play against them and try to win the game.”